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Steve McClaren is coming back to the Northeast. It has taken way too long for this process to play itself out, but it looks like Mac is here.
Mike Ashley apparently is only allowing two media sources -- the Mirror and Sky -- an opportunity to break the news with the first interview, but that just seems like semantics.
McClaren is about to take the reins and it's time for Newcastle United fans to embrace the new face at St. James Park.
"St. James' Park is like a cathedral on a Saturday afternoon, a symbol for the city and I am excited to be given this opportunity." SM #NUFC
— NUFCfans.co.uk (@nufcfans) June 10, 2015
The Alan Pardew era is now officially over. The sacking of most of his back room staff, led by John Carver, means that it's time for everyone to get behind McClaren and what he can bring to the Magpies.
The man nearly brought Derby County into the EPL last year.
The persistent Newcastle coaching rumors finally led to Derby falling out of contention. McClaren was sacked because of those flirtations with NUFC.
Now almost a month later, Newcastle is finally getting its man.
Before everyone jumps on the "same old story of no ambition" line of this move by Ashley and Co., take a look at this.
Newcastle United Managers (Since Sir Bobby Robson unnecessarily sacked in 2004)
Graeme Souness (87 matches)
Glenn Roeder (72)
Sam Allardyce (24)
Kevin Keegan (21)
Joe Kinnear (18)
Alan Shearer (8)
Chris Hughton (64)
Alan Pardew (185)
John Carver (20)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Combined number of major trophies won for NUFC: 0
The only manager on this list to EVER win a trophy of any kind as a gaffer was Souness, who won three Scottish Cups and titles with Rangers (1986-91). But he was pretty much a disaster at St. James Park.
Steve McClaren
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Number of Major Trophies won: 2
League Cup in 2004 with Middlesboro
Eredivisie Championship with FC Twente in 2010
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
McClaren also led Middlesboro to the UEFA Cup Final in 2006.
Just a small question?
When was the last time any of the 9 managers above led Newcastle United to a Cup final? A Cup semifinal?
Answer: 0
Not only is McClaren the manager, but in a groundbreaking move, Mike Ashley has appointed him part of the board, along with chief scout Graham Carr, NUFC legend and ambassador Bob Moncur and managing director Lee Charnley.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New board… <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nufc?src=hash">#nufc</a> <a href="http://t.co/Va09RHtxUA">pic.twitter.com/Va09RHtxUA</a></p>— NUFC Stats (@NUFC_Stats) <a href="https://twitter.com/NUFC_Stats/status/608686191555321857">June 10, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
McClaren may not be the flashy pick who many Newcastle fans want for their new manager, but he could be the right man for this job.