Newcastle United are planning a third approach to Steve McClaren to become their head coach according to The Telegraph's Jason Burt. After two failed attempts earlier in the season, the second with just three games of the Premier League campaign remaining, it looks like a case of third time's a charm for The Magpies. Many thought McClaren had burnt his bridges with the North East side after rejecting their advances on more than one occasion, although this certainly isn't the case as the powers that be at St James' Park clearly see him as the only man to lead their revolution next season. Newcastle owner Mike Ashley came out and said that he would be backing the team in order to end the 46-year wait for a major trophy on Tyneside. No pressure then, Steve. The former England manager was sacked by Derby County last Monday after failing to lead The Rams to Championship promotion, not even securing as much as a play-off place on the final day of the season. It has been rumoured that Newcastle's initial approach for the 54-year-old after Alan Pardew's departure for Crystal Palace in January disrupted The Rams' season and was the reason behind their slump down the table. Derby were second in the table at the time. McClaren seemed to be the only realistic contender in the eyes of Newcastle Managing Director Lee Charnley and Ashley's self-anointed 'football board'. The Sports Direct tycoon made no bones about how the search for a new manager would be led by his subordinate and his associates, who have had the last five months to find a legitimate long-term successor for Pardew. The move will disgruntle Newcastle fans who will see it as yet another PR disaster by the club. How can a Premier League club get knocked back a Championship manager twice and expect to come out of the third attempt with any sense respect?
