Newcastle United is in the midst of a dismal season in the Premier League. The team has gone 6-22 this season while currently on a three-match losing streak, sitting second-to-last in the standings with no hope of improving. As a result, the team had to make a move, which lead to the firing of manager Steve McClaren.
Newcastle signed McClaren prior to the season to a three-year deal. The club was hopeful that he could get the team back into contention in the Premier League, but instead, they rank at the bottom once again, and McClaren is being forced to take the brunt of it.
"After the defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, the club has spent some time considering its position and has today concluded that Steve McClaren's employment with the club will end with immediate effect," Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley said. "I would like to thank Steve personally for his services to Newcastle United. He is a man of integrity and class and he has conducted himself with great dignity during this difficult time. Steve worked tirelessly to try and bring success to Newcastle United."
McClaren was never a favorite from the start. The manager made a lot of promises to fans upon getting hired and failed to meet any of them. Instead, the club continued its losing streak as a bottom-feeder in the Premier League. McClaren tried to spend big on players during the January transfer window, something that Newscastle has traditionally avoided. They brought in Jonjo Shelvey, Andros Townsend and Henri Saivet. When the wins did not come from those moves, McClaren had to go. He reportedly refused to quit the team, forcing Newcastle to simply fire him.
In his place, Newcastle reportedly has former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez lined up to take over the club. He has been offered a three-year deal, but Newcastle would not comment on the move just yet. Benitez has never been put in the position of having to save a team before. He took over stable clubs. Now, he must save Newcastle from falling out of the Premier League altogether. Benitez has the resume that gives Newcastle some hope. He has won both a Champions League title and a La Liga title, but those came from clubs with more stability. Time will tell if he can turn Newcastle into winners as well.
