The Evening Chronicle are reporting that Newcastle United have approached Boudewijn Zenden to become their new assistant manager. The former Dutch international has been earmarked as the "young up-and-coming coach" of Steve McClaren's desires. A man that will be brought in "to form a link between the new boss and the dressing room." The move for the 38-year-old comes around after United were reportedly knocked back by BBC pundit Phil Neville, a man that worked under Steve McClaren at Manchester United and with England. Of course, Zenden is no stranger to the new head coach as the pair worked wonders during the most successful period of Middlesbrough's history. The midfielder started the 2004 Carling Cup final and scored the winner to hand the Teessiders their first ever trophy. Since retiring in 2011 while at Sunderland, Zenden has beefed up his coaching CV with spells at Chelsea under Rafa Benitez and PSV Eindhoven. The Chronicle's Newcastle United editor Mark Douglas describes Zenden as: "An intelligent and forward-thinking character who has been working in Holland with PSV Eindhoven and would be an interesting choice to work with a dressing room that draws players from all over the globe." McClaren's assistant at Derby County, Paul Simpson, remains in the frame.
