Mike Ashley decided against bringing any players to Newcastle United in January.
Steve McClaren has dodged the question when asked whether he was surprised that Newcastle United did not make an addition during the January transfer window, as per his comments in the Chronicle.
McClaren was in charge at Newcastle last season, but he had a disastrous time at St. James’ Park.
The 55-year-old struggled as Newcastle boss, and was eventually sacked as the Magpies attempted to avoid the drop from the Premier League – with Benitez coming in to replace him.
McClaren had his own problems at Newcastle, with things not working out as he planned on Tyneside.
Benitez, too, has found things didn’t go to plan for his side last month on or off the field.
Not only did Newcastle’s results take a turn for the worse, but the Magpies also failed to bring in any players in the January transfer window – with chairman Mike Ashley reportedly changing his side’s transfer policy (Daily Mirror).
And when asked whether he was shocked that Benitez didn’t sign any players last month, McClaren said: “Listen – please don’t take me back [to my Newcastle days].
“My focus is not on Newcastle, or on Rafa’s problems, or on yours, only on ours.
“So I move on and deal with Leicester now.”
McClaren is now in charge of Derby County, and he took the Rams to Newcastle at the weekend.
Derby have been in good form of late, but they were unable to get anything out of the match, as Newcastle picked up a 1-0 victory.
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