10 Key Reasons Why Newcastle Have Chosen Steve McClaren
8. His Achievements With Middlesbrough
In his opening salvo as Newcastle's new Head Coach, McClaren laid out his intentions to deliver silverware and bring an end to the growing disillusionment over cup competitions that has engulfed the club in recent seasons.
"This Club has waited far too long to win a trophy. That's one of my primary objectives here" were his words in the official press release confirming his appointment. Leading on from Mike Ashley's end-of-season statement, McClaren is intent on becoming the first man since Joe Harvey in 1969 to bring a major trophy home to St James' Park.
And supporters can have no qualms about his cup winning credentials. His most notable achievement in English football remains winning the League Cup with Middlesbrough after beating Bolton - managed by Sam Allardyce, the first-Newcastle boss of the Ashley era - in the 2004 final.
His record in domestic competitions on Teesside is admirable, guiding Boro to two FA Cup semi finals and the quarter final of the League in five years with the club. Considering Newcastle seldom progressed past the third stage in both competitions under Alan Pardew, you'd have to say he's a good bet to end the club's trophy drought.
Lest we forget his exploits in Europe, where he guided Middlesbrough to the last-16 of the UEFA Cup in 2005 before making it to the final a year later, only to be thrashed 4-0 by Sevilla. Still, it ranks as the first appearance by a North East club in a major European final since Newcastle lifted the Fairs Cup in 1969.