10 Key Reasons Why Newcastle Have Chosen Steve McClaren

10. He Is Prepared To Work In The New Boardroom Structure

In the space of one afternoon, Newcastle dramatically terraformed its old boardroom landscape into a new, streamlined four-man 'football board' with club owner Mike Ashley relinquishing his seat at the table, along with outgoing finance director John Irving. 

What came as an even bigger surprise was the announcement that McClaren would be joining the board of directors alongside Lee Charnley, the managing director, chief scout Graham Carr, with whom he shares a strong relationship, and club ambassador Bobby Moncur, with the reshuffle designed to inject more football knowledge and experience into the club's overall decision making process.

It's an irrefutable, and dare we say it, welcome sign that Ashley is conscious of the need to adjust the old, outdated model and breathe new life into the continental-style structure in an effort to push Newcastle in a different direction - something which McClaren is willing to accept as the club's new Head Coach having worked in a similar structure during his time managing in Holland and Germany.

Abiding by the set parameters of the post was always going to be a determining factor in McClaren's candidacy, although how much he is willing to acquiesce to the much-discussed restrictions that will be inevitably placed upon him is a pertinent cause for concern, though he did challenge Ashley to follow through on his promise to invest in the squad this summer. A positive start.

Alan Pardew alluded to the limited input he had into the recruitment process as being one of his main grievances about the Newcastle job, although he never sought to publicly air his disgruntlement, instead allowing his unwavering complicity and reluctance to challenge the status quo to taint his relationship with the Magpies' fans.

It would be a shame if McClaren followed Pardew's lead. He needs be his own man.