Steve McClaren "Excited" By Newcastle Job... And Supposed Transfer "War Chest"

Steve McClaren is "excited" by the prospect of taking control of Newcastle United - and he is "enthused" by the opportunity to lavish the Magpies' supposed "transfer war chest" this summer. The Derby County boss is expected to be named as Alan Pardew's successor next week - a full six months after the Londoner left for Crystal Palace - having back sacked by the Rams last month. McClaren has twice rebuffed Newcastle€™s advances before - including in January immediately after Pardew departed and then again with three games to go in the Magpies€™ season - yet chief scout Graham Carr appears to remain convinced he is the man to take the club forward.

However, McClaren now appears keen to take on the job according to both The Chronicle and the Northern Echo, who claim he is "excited" by the transfer funds promised to him at the Magpies. With managing director Lee Charnley and club owner Mike Ashley fully willing to allow Carr complete control over transfers, they believe appointing a man their chief scout has faith in should allow their recruitment policy to prosper. Carr brought in the likes of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (£8.5 million) and Remy Cabella (£12 million) who previous boss Pardew simply did not fancy - but the scout believes McClaren will be more receptive to utilising technical players.

For that reason, Ashley is willing to loosen the purse strings and give McClaren what The Chronicle describe as a "war chest" - although no figure is attached, so that could mean £10 million or £100 million (and will almost certainly be closer to the former). Patrick Vieira meanwhile, who had been tentatively approached about the Magpies job, could now remain at Manchester City, or take up a director of football role at Turkish club Fenerbahce. Interestingly, Vieira received 88% of the vote in a whatculture.com/nufc poll into who should be the next Magpies head coach out of himself and McClaren, yet Newcastle appear determined to appoint the latter. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.