The manager and pundit believes it was too easy for all the blame to be placed at McClaren’s door.
Manager and pundit Ian Holloway has told Sky Sports that Newcastle United found an easy cop-out in blaming Steve McClaren for their troubles and relegation, and suggested that a “blame culture” would have started amongst supporters if Rafa Benitez had chosen to leave in the summer.
McClaren turned out to be a disastrous appointment on Tyneside as the Magpies slid towards relegation, and though Mike Ashley sacked him in March and replaced him with Benitez, the damage was already done.
Benitez had a huge positive impact, however, bringing about a remarkable change in form, and he has led the Magpies to win seven of their first 11 Championship fixtures this term.
There were multiple factors contributing to the club’s demise last season, but much of the blame has been apportioned to McClaren.
However, Holloway believes that is an easy get-out clause for the club and insists that it was the players in last season’s squad who should be held accountable, not their ailing former manager.
Holloway told Sky Sports: “If Benitez didn’t decide to stay then a blame culture would have started to develop within the fan base. All the blame from them is seemingly pointed at Steve McClaren rather than Benitez, which is helping the atmosphere.
“That is an easy cop-out though, to blame the previous manager. In my opinion the blame lies solely with the players that took the club down – some of them failed to show up last season.
“[However] the bad habits of last season are behind them now. A swift return to the Premier League looks on the cards.”
Benitez made huge sweeping changes to his squad this summer, letting over 20 players leave and bringing in 12 new first-team signings.
That has allowed Newcastle to move on from their catastrophic season, and the North East club now appear to be primed for promotion.
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