Football
ESPN staff 8y

Steve McClaren sacked by Newcastle, Rafa Benitez expected to take over

Newcastle United have announced that manager Steve McClaren has left the struggling Premier League club.

The club have already lined up former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez as his replacement, with sources telling ESPN FC that the Spaniard is set to be offered a three-year deal.

McClaren was appointed last summer, signing a three-year contract at St James' Park after leaving Derby County in May, but he has endured a difficult time, with the side 19th in the Premier League table after Saturday's 3-1 loss at home to Bournemouth.

Three members of the club's board -- managing director Lee Charnley, chief scout Graham Carr and club ambassador Bob Moncur -- reportedly met on Monday without McClaren, with Charnley discussing the team's situation with the manager by telephone later in the day.

The former England boss continued to take training this week before eventually being dismissed on Friday, but Newcastle defended the delay in an official statement.

"After the defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, the club has spent some time considering its position and has today concluded that Steve McClaren's employment with the club will end with immediate effect," the statement read.

"We acknowledge that reaching this decision has taken a number of days and that this has caused uncertainty for everyone involved, in particular for Steve and the players, for which we apologise.

"However, we felt that this time was necessary to ensure the right decisions were reached with the best interests of the club at heart."

Charnley added: "I would like to thank Steve personally for his services to Newcastle United. He is a man of integrity and class and he has conducted himself with great dignity during this difficult time.

"Steve worked tirelessly to try and bring success to Newcastle United. He has the utmost respect of all the players, staff and management and he leaves with our very best wishes and sincere thanks.

"We feel that a change is now needed in order to give the club the best possible chance of securing its Premier League future.

"A further announcement on a successor to Steve will be made in due course."

Newcastle are a point away from safety with 10 matches of the 2015-16 season to play and are next in action at leaders Leicester City on Monday.

Newcastle finished 15th last season, four points clear of the relegation zone, after a dismal run of form under John Carver after Alan Pardew's mid-season departure to Crystal Palace.

The club spent heavily to reinforce the squad last summer, bringing in the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba and Florian Thauvin for significant fees, and they are reported to have taken their net spend for the season to over £70 million in January when they brought in Jonjo Shelvey, Andros Townsend and Henri Saivet, as well as loan signing Seydou Doumbia.

However, they have taken just three points from their five games since the close of the January window and have been no higher than 17th in the table since 2015.

In a statement released through the League Managers' Association, McClaren said: "I am obviously very disappointed with the decision. I appreciate any frustrations relating to the team's results and the club subsequently finding itself in a battle to avoid relegation. I remain confident, however, that we would have stayed in the Premier League with a view to building for next season.

"Whilst there has been a lot of intense speculation surrounding my position over recent days, my sole priority has been to maintain my professionalism and carry on with my work to best prepare the team.

"I would like to place on record what a privilege it has been to manage Newcastle United Football Club. It is a great a club -- the embodiment of the city, with incredible supporters.

"For every supporter of Newcastle United, I genuinely hope the club can produce the results I believe they are capable of, between now and the end of the season, to maintain their Premier League status.

"Newcastle United is a club that must build for the long term to deliver what the supporters deserve -- success and silverware."

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