Steve McClaren Claims Nothing Agreed - So Where Do NUFC Turn?

Newcastle United coaching target Steve McClaren has distanced himself from the Magpies job by insisting he wants to remain at Derby County - despite speculation that he will take over imminently at the St James' Park helm. John Carver's Magpies were hammered 3-0 by Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, leaving them just two points above the Premier League relegation zone after an eighth consecutive defeat. Following the manner of the defeat - in which Newcastle went behind inside 40 seconds and then had both Mike Williamson and Daryl Janmaat dismissed in pathetic fashion - Carver's position has become close to untenable. The interim head coach lambasted his players and accused Williamson of "deliberately" getting himself sent off, proving the dressing room is simply not behind him.

With Newcastle's position now beyond desperate, and their Premier League status very much under threat, there has been mounting speculation that McClaren - whose season with Derby County ended without the Rams qualifying for the Championship play-offs - would be installed immediately. However, McClaren has insisted he currently intends to remain at the iPro Stadium next season and get Derby into the Premier League - and that "absolutely nothing has been agreed" with Newcastle. If that is true, it begs the question: Who do NUFC turn to? McClaren said:

"From my point of view, I am under contract here at Derby. I have said that all along. "I have been questioned about all the speculation which has been going on for about six months. I have had it before in my career - it never affects me. "Absolutely nothing has been agreed (with Newcastle) - absolutely nothing. What is happening at Newcastle, I do not know, you will have to ask them. You will have to ask Newcastle what their plans are."

Although McClaren has not fully ruled out the Newcastle job, he has certainly distanced himself from it. If the Magpies cannot convince the former England manager to take up the job, then they could be forced to stick by Carver for the final three matches - and continue their rapid descent towards the Championship. It is unlikely that anyone else would touch the currently-toxic club with a barge pole. Even if McClaren does agree to the job, he will not be a knight in shining armour coming to miraculously turn Newcastle's season around. The squad - and the club as a whole - is in disarray. It looks like it could simply be a case of too little, too late. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.