In the wake of Newcastle’s 3-0 home defeat to Leicester City, head coach Steve McClaren has been involved in a series of fiery training ground rows with senior Magpies’ players.
Luke Edwards of The Telegraph exclusively reports that McClaren was left seething with his side’s attitude during Saturday’s meek capitulation against the Foxes, and the former England manager has pulled no punches when voicing his displeasure to Newcastle’s under-performing squad.
Edwards claims that McClaren has accused a number of the Magpies’ big-name stars of not caring about the club’s current plight, and the 54-year-old has questioned whether the squad are capable of handling the pressure that wearing the famous black and white shirt entails.
Sky Sports have since added to Edwards’ claim, stating that club captain Fabricio Coloccini bore the brunt of McClaren’s criticism.
The manner of Newcastle’s half-hearted surrender against Leicester has left many disgruntled Magpies’ supporters questioning the impact that McClaren has had since being appointed as head coach in June, and the Englishman feels that his insipid side have thrown him under the bus.
McClaren’s assertions are believed to have ignited a number of heated exchanges between players and coaching staff, and the Englishman will hope that his harsh words spark a positive reaction in Newcastle’s crucial clash with Crystal Palace this weekend.
The Magpies have won just two of their 13 Premier League games this campaign and currently sit in 17th place, just one point from danger. However, despite pressure mounting on the former Middlesbrough boss, the Newcastle hierarchy have assured McClaren that his position is not under threat, and he will be given the time and resources to turn things around.
The Telegraph state that McClaren has asked the Newcastle board to re-evaluate their current stance on buying domestic players ahead of January, and the under-fire coach hopes to significantly strengthen the Magpies’ ranks by signing a centre-back, a centre midfielder and a centre forward during the upcoming window.
