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Opinion

Steve McClaren would be a hero at Newcastle if repeating some of his earlier achievements

9 years ago
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A different view on Steve McClaren.

A quick glance at articles circulating about NUFC are all the evidence you need to get a feel for the mood on Tyneside.

Articles questioning summer signings that are yet to be made, fan forums already predicting Steve McClaren’s failure before he even begins.

Agreed, the appointment of Steve McClaren as head coach would be an uninspired one, but that doesn’t make him a bad coach.

I’m not trying to preach that McClaren is definitely the right man for the job, but compared to the other candidates he seems like the smart decision from a footballing perspective.

Patrick Viera, as brilliant a player as he was, has zero first team managerial experience.

John Carver comprehensively failed his audition and would be a disastrous appointment.

Michael Laudrup, a man who famously went on holiday rather than represent his country at a major tournament, suggesting someone who if disinterested would shy away from the challenge. He also has a lower managerial career win percentage than McClaren, and that win percentage includes seasons as a manager in Denmark and Qatar.

As for Remi Garde, the chance of him become toon boss was likely lost when he witnessed at first hand the complete trouncing at the hands of Manchester City in February.

McClaren’s experience and what he achieved while manager of Middlesboro are impressive. Yes there were rainy patches through his career, particularly the time he spent as England Manager – the rainiest of which even his famous brolly couldn’t keep him dry, but as a whole his club career has been positive.

Another observation that people have loved to make, are the similarities between the potential arrival of McClaren, and the appointment of Alan Pardew back in 2010.

A manager sacked by a lower league club being brought in and nobody being able to understand why. But McClaren comes with some glowing endorsements the likes of which Pardew will never receive; including Ballon D’or winner Michael Owen, who said Steve McClaren was “Right up there” in terms of coaches he’s worked with.

The truth is that if McClaren was to come in, and emulate some of his achievements from his earlier career, he will be a hero in Newcastle.

Whether he can or cannot do it is the question, but his CV is long enough, and positive enough to be given the chance.

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