First Spell (As A Youth Player, 1983-85): League Appearances: 0 League Goals: 0 Second Spell (As Caretaker Manager, 2004): Games Managed: 1 Wins: 1 Third Spell (As Caretaker And Then Interim Head Coach, 2004): Games Managed: 20 Wins: 3 Technically he never made a first-team appearance for Newcastle while in their academy set-up between 1983 and 1985, but John Carver did still return to the club first as an assistant manager, and then eventually as interim head coach. Well he is - sorry, was - the best coach in the Premier League after all... When Alan Pardew left the Magpies for Crystal Palace in January 2015, Carver was originally placed in "caretaker" charge of the club - and, despite losing all four matches he was given control of, Sir Bobby Robson's former assistant was then named as "interim" head coach for the remainder of the season. Carver's spell in charge of the Magpies was absolutely horrendous - with a side who sat in mid-table at the turn of the year dropping like stones down the Premier League table thanks to just two victories from his first 18 Premier League matches in charge. A victory on the final day of the season against West Ham United at St James' Park kept Newcastle in the Premier League, but Carver returned a win ratio of just 15% from 20 matches. Arguably Newcastle's worst-ever manager. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
