Steve McClaren's refusal to countenance a move to Newcastle United has forced the club to look elsewhere in their search for a manager - with Real Madrid first-team coach Paul Clement believed to be on the Magpies' shortlist. Clement has been Carlo Ancelotti's assistant at Real since the Italian took charge in June 2013 and he helped the club claim the Champions League title last season. However, the 43-year-old is expected to leave his post in the Spanish capital this summer in order to pursue a career in management, with Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley believed to be considering Clement's credentials. According to The Telegraph, Clement has shot up Newcastle's shortlist following Derby County boss McClaren's decision to turn down the opportunity to take over at St James' Park for the final three games of this season. With Rayo Vallecano manager Paco Jemez and former Olympiacos head coach Michel Gonzalez also linked to the Toon hotseat in recent days, Newcastle are casting their net far and wide as they plan for life in the Premier League next season - despite the perilous position interim head coach John Carver finds his side in. Although Clement is unwilling to make any decisions on his future until the end of Real's campaign - with the Spanish giants still aiming to defend the Champions League trophy and to claim La Liga - his coaching skills are highly regarded and he is being courted by Newcastle. However, Queens Park Rangers are also interested in Clement's services, as are Sunderland, so it could come down to who can offer Premier League football to the Wandsworth-born coach next season. Having first gained his UEFA 'A' licence in 1999, Clement worked as the academy coach at Chelsea and then at Fulham. The son of former QPR and England player Dave Clement, he then became coach of the Republic of Ireland Under-21s. He returned to Chelsea as a coach in 2007, working there for four years - including under Ancelotti, who won the Premier League title - before a spell as assistant boss at Blackburn Rovers. Clement teamed up with Ancelotti again at Paris Saint-Germain - where he helped them to the Ligue 1 title - before the pair joined Real in 2013. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC 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.
