Ian Cathro Claims He Has Taken A Career "Forward Step" By Moving From Valencia To Newcastle

NUFC supporters should be excited by the prospect of Cathro arriving on Tyneside.

By Chris Waugh /

Ian Cathro claims that moving from Valencia to Newcastle United this summer has been a "forward step" in his coaching career. The 28-year-old has accepted a position as McClaren€™s assistant head coach at St James€™ Park, although he will not sign a contract until Tuesday and will then begin his work at pre-season training on Wednesday. With Paul Simpson poised to join the Magpies as well having left his position at Derby County, and Steve Black also likely to move back to the Tyneside club, McClaren finally has his backroom staff in place.
But it makes for interesting reading the exact reasons behind why Cathro - one of Europe€™s most-highly rated coaches - decided to leave Valencia for Newcastle. Speaking to BBC Sport, Cathro explained:
"It's a forward step to a different type of football. Not stronger or weaker - different. "I wanted a fresh challenge and didn't want to just sit it out over there and wait for the right manager's job to come up. "To come into British football as a manager with no experience of working with English-speaking players is perhaps not advisable anyway so this makes perfect sense."
The former Brechin City and Forfar Athletic player has seen a rapid rise in his coaching career, despite still being two years shy of his 30th birthday. After being made Dundee United youth academy director by the age of 2012, Cathro was then appointed assistant boss at Rio Ave - before moving to Valencia, where he left this summer after guiding the Spanish club to an impressive fourth-placed finish in La Liga. When asked about his role under McClaren and his vision for the club, Cathro added:
"Steve (McClaren) coming in has brought a freshness and enthusiasm to get the club back to where it should be and serve the love that exists for it. "I'm convinced that it's a club willing to grow and would be comfortable higher in the league. It's now ready to do that."
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