Rafa Benitez Looking to Become Magpies New Boss

Newcastle United sack Steve McClaren and will soon officially unveil Rafa Benitez as the Magpies new boss. According to Sky Sports, the Spaniard is in advanced talks with the club to sign a three-year deal, however he has quite a challenge to overcome this season if he is to see out the full length of his contract.

McClaren was shown the door after a string of poor results, which saw him win only six games out of 28 games so far in the Premier League. Currently, Newcastle are in 19th place with merely 24 points to their name.

The club’s statement read on the “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.”

“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 apologize.”

Newcastle’s managing director, Lee Charnley, stressed that McClaren is a great professional who showed great tenacity. “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.”

Several big names in the sport have voiced their opinions on McClaren’s dismissal and Benitez’s appointment as Magpies new boss. Former Tottenham and Barcelona striker Gary Lineker expressed his approval of Steve McClaren’s dismissal, as he believes that a club with Newcastle’s stature deserves better results. “Newcastle have finally put Steve McClaren out of his misery. The running of that great football club is beyond shambolic,” the iconic former England striker commented.

Ian Dennis, BBC’s Radio 5 senior football reporter, highlighted that Magpies new boss Benitez has been announced as McClaren’s replacement on Monday, at a club board meeting. Former Newcastle player Michael Owen tweeted that he hopes Newcastle will continue its battle to stay in the English top flight. “Rafa in the driving seat to replace McClaren. Whoever takes over, I still expect Newcastle to stay up,” said Owen.