John Carver has been sacked by Newcastle United as they prepare to appoint former England boss Steve McClaren as head coach. Alan Pardew's former assistant and also first-team coach Steve Stone have both left the club, with McClaren's appointment as boss imminent. After winning just three of Newcastle's final 19 Premier League games of the 2014-15 and plunging the Magpies into a relegation battle despite having been mid-table when Pardew left, Carver has been sent on his way. McClaren, sacked by Derby County last month, has been given a clean slate by managing director Lee Charnley and Newcastle owner Mike Ashley from which to rebuild the Magpies. The sacking of both Carver and Stone gives a clear break between the Pardew-Carver regime and McClaren's for next season. Ashley has also promised to invest up to £60 million in the Newcastle squad this summer as he bids to avoid another relegation battle in 2015-16. Carver had made it clear he wanted the head coach's role on a permanent basis, and also that he aimed to stay on even if someone else was appointed, but the club have taken that decision out of his hands. Pardew's assistant since 2010, Carver made a "tongue-in-cheek" comment that he believed he was "the best coach in the Premier League" during his disastrous time in charge of Newcastle last season. Magpies supporters will be glad to know he will not be placed in such a position of authority again. 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.
