It may have taken them a full six months after Alan Pardew's departure to Crystal Palace for the Magpies to name a new permanent head coach but, at the third time of asking, McClaren was finally confirmed. The former England, Middlesbrough and Derby County boss had been the favourite for the role ever since Pardew left the Magpies for the Eagles at the turn of the year and he has penned a three-year-deal at St James Park. McClarens contract has the option for another five years which could see him in charge for the next eight years. And the 54-year-olds remit includes a top-eight Premier League finish, as well as a cup win. However, having reportedly turned the Magpies down on two occasions already in 2015 - first immediately after Pardew left in January and then with three matches left of the season - McClaren finally agreed to take up the position having been sacked as Derby County boss in May. Ex-Three Lions boss McClaren - who was infamously dubbed the Wally with the Brolly after appearing on the touchline of Englands 3-2 loss to Croatia at Wembley with an umbrella - won the League Cup and reached the UEFA Cup final with Middlesbrough. He also claimed the Eredivisie title during his first spell at FC Twente. Yet he has had mixed success as a head coach. Spells at Wolfsburg, FC Twente (the second time), Nottingham Forest and England were underwhelming to say the least, while he failed to take Derby to the Premier League. Now Newcastle head coach, McClaren has an important pre-season ahead of him, during which he must shape his squad for the challenges of the 2015-16 campaign. His opening pre-season fixture in charge will be against his former Middlesbrough reserve-team coach Malcolm Crosbys Gateshead side on Friday, July 10th - which gives him little more than a week-and-a-half with his squad before they take to the field for the first time. 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.
