Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren has three matches to save his job, according to Bleacher Report insider Dean Jones
Newcastle’s upcoming fixtures are Liverpool, Spurs and Aston Villa – and Jones understands that the under-fire Englishman must win at least one of those games to remain as United boss:
He’s (McClaren) already been in trouble earlier this season, Mike Ashley began to ponder whether he should continue long-term as Newcastle manager. At that time he managed to pick up a 6-2 win against Norwich which made sure he stayed in a job, but certainly fresh questions are being asked.
Ashley showed immense loyalty to former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew at the start of last season despite widespread calls for the 54-year-old to lose his job, and Jones claims that the Sports Direct supremo wants to show the same levels of patience with McClaren. However, if United’s appalling results don’t improve over the coming weeks, the chairman’s hand could be forced:
Newcastle spent a lot of money in the last transfer window. Steve McClaren has been trying to get his messages across to this squad. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been working for him so far, and now Ashley is going to have to give him these three matches to see if he can turn things around.
When questioned over what McClaren’s potential dismissal would mean for Newcastle’s January transfer plans, Jones stated that any managerial change would not impact the Magpies’ business – whilst claiming that the Tynesiders have already identified their main targets:
Newcastle are already planning for their January purchases. They’re looking at a left back and a central midfielder. As I understand it, they are the two priority positions. Lee Charnley and Graham Carr are the two people who look into transfers. Whoever’s the manager doesn’t really matter too much.
