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Opinion

Dick Advocaat spells out what Steve McClaren must do to avoid Newcastle failure

9 years ago
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With Steve McClaren expected to be formally announced as Newcastle United Manager/Head Coach next week, Dick Advocaat has made clear what he needs to do, or else he’ll face almost certain disaster.

Sunderland had lost the manager who had kept them up after only eight matches of his initial nine game contract, the Dutchman talking about exploring other opportunities such as possibly a return to international football.

However, Sunderland owner Ellis Short has made a number of commitments to Dick Advocaat that have persuaded him to sign on again for the Mackems, in the belief that he has the right ‘tools’ for the job.

Dick Advocaat:

“The club would not let go and the owner is willing to make resources available.

“They want to build Sunderland into a force and the owner wants to help me build that team.

“Sunderland is a fantastic club and I like that I can pick and build a team for the new season.”

A figure of £50m is reported to have been pledged by Ellis Short for Dick Advocaat to spend in the transfer market, with the manager the key figure in identifying the players who should be signed.

So then what about Steve McClaren….

If we assume the former Boro boss has got the Newcastle job, what has he insisted on before he takes it?

I think to be honest that this is the crux of whether Steve McClaren can be a success at St James’ Park, not simply whether McClaren is a good or bad manager.

If he has been desperate and willing to take the Newcastle job on the terms most of us imagine: which is basically little or no say on which players come in, plus no commitment from Mike Ashley on major investment in the squad – then in my opinion, both Steve McClaren and the rest of us are knackered and the season ahead looks a total nightmare.

However, if Steve McClaren has only taken the job after assurances that Mike Ashley is prepared to do a u-turn and give the manager/head coach the central say on transfers AND has pledged funds to allow the club to recover, then who knows where we could potentially go…

Something for the former England manager to ponder on his holiday.

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