Rationalisation of McClaren appointment shows that Magpies’ expectations are at rock bottom
Any day now, Newcastle United are expected to announce Steve McClaren
as the new head coach, ending a five month search to replace Alan Pardew, who
left for Crystal Palace. The reaction has certainly been mixed for the recently
sacked Derby County boss. On the one hand, having some sort of managerial
ability puts him far above both Pardew and John Carver, yet the appointment
still feels underwhelming.
After all, is this the best Newcastle can come up with? McClaren was chased
like Guardiola from day one, with his experience of continental hierarchies and
friendship with chief scout Graham Carr. He was the number one target all
along, despite talks with Remi Garde. But a jealous glance towards east London
reveals that, with some ambition, even West Ham can realistically attract the
likes of Marcelo Bielsa, Unai Emery, Slaven Bilic and Frank de Boer.
McClaren will do, especially if he can bring some coaches with him, but
he’s an unambitious, dull, middle-of-the-road choice. He has a mixed record,
with successful spells at Middlesbrough and Twente but disasters at Wolfsburg,
England and Nottingham Forest. In under two years at Pride Park, the 54-year-old
found time to thrash rivals Forest 5-0, as well as take the Rams to Wembley for
a play-off final.
Whilst Derby collapsed in the second half of the 14/15 season, their
squad surprisingly set the pace for a long time. A dramatic loss of form saw
them completely miss the play-offs but it can be attributed to striker Chris
Martin’s injury and the natural balancing of overachievement. Newcastle’s
public pursuit didn’t help. All in all, he did quite well there.
The problem is, he has turned Newcastle down twice this year, including
a desperate plea with three games remaining. Now, he’s unemployed and grateful
for an opportunity. It’s a U-turn that will make it hard to get many fans
onside, although it’s best for them to now get behind him – it doesn’t look
good to immediately be on his back.
‘He’s better than Carver’ is the catchphrase used for all rationalising
of this appointment, which proves how much fan expectations have been lowered
under Mike Ashley. We’ve forgotten our potential; to him, Newcastle’s limit is
mid-table but the last 20 years have shown there’s no limit.
The Magpies are the world’s 19th richest club, with a
52,000-seater stadium in a one-club city, taking part in the money pit of
Premier League football – they have all the potential in the world. However,
the likes of Swansea and Southampton routinely show more aspirations and have
duly overtaken Newcastle, maybe Bournemouth will soon join them. West Ham are
on their way.
Is it too much to ask for an ambitious owner, a credible manager, a
good squad with some depth and some intentions to win a trophy or chase the top
six? Ashley still remains the problem and, until he is forced out, the club won’t
rise above mid-table. The whole club needs gutting from top to bottom.
That’s why the late talk of Patrick Vieira taking charge was so
exciting. Whilst unproven as a manager, he’s highly thought of in the corridors
of football’s elite. Here is a cool, suave man, a well-respected World Cup winner
who would immediately get the Newcastle players on-side – they clearly had no
time for Carver. While it would be risky to give him his first job, it’d bring
a sense of hope and enthusiasm that McClaren could never bring. The risk would
be a calculated one. Unfortunately, Vieira has some self-respect, meaning he’d
never agree with the club’s philosophies and desire to take transfers out of
his hands.
So, by default, the Ashley regime has settled for McClaren. Yes, he’s
better than all Newcastle’s recent managers and will probably do OK, provided
he’s given some good players like Ashley said on TV. But this was a chance for
the club to aim so much higher and they once again settled for the safe, mundane
option. How you view McClaren’s appointment depends on whether you’re a
half-empty or half-full person. Just remember to spell his name with two Cs!
Another opportunity wasted.
