Newcastle Appoint Steve McClaren As Both Manager And Board Member As Mike Ashley Steps Down

Chris Wright

10th, June 2015

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By Chris Wright

There have been seismic changes in the Newcastle United top brass this afternoon, with the club appointing Steve McClaren as their new manager while also furnishing him with a place on their board of directors for good measure.

Couple with McClaren’s induction is the news that boogeyman Mike Ashley has relinquished his position on the Toon board along with finance director John Irving, who has left the club altogether.

The changes were all outlined in a statement posted on the club’s official website:

“Newcastle United has today (Wednesday, 10th June) announced changes to its Board of Directors.”

“Head coach Steve McClaren, chief scout Graham Carr and club ambassador Bob Moncur have today been appointed to the Board, joining managing director Lee Charnley.

“Mike Ashley has relinquished his position on the board along with finance director John Irving, who is leaving the Club.

“Newcastle United becomes the only club in the Premier League to have its head coach on its Board of Directors, a move which the Club feels adds significant strength to it.”

Christ, no wonder it took so long. Derby County must be feeling pretty peeved right about now.

We’ve no idea what effect McClaren being on the board will have other than it must surely strengthen his position on all matters related to the team itself, i.e, control over the transfers – a major sticking point for several of the past few Newcastle coaches.

As ever with the wackiest club in the Premier League, we shall see…