Steve McClaren was sacked as Newcastle United manager following seven wins in 31 matches last season.
Former Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren has had his say on his unsuccessful nine month spell on Tyneside which led to the club’s relegation from the Premier League, in comments appearing on BBC Sport.
McClaren was appointed Magpies boss last summer and handed a bumper transfer budget in an attempt to improve on the 15th placed finish in the 2014/15 season.
Suffice to say, the former England manager struggled badly at United as many of their new signings failed to make an impact as relegation started to become an increasing possibility.
Newcastle’s Florian Thauvin before the game
With the club sitting 19th in the table following a 3-1 home defeat to Bournemouth in March, McClaren was sacked and quickly replaced by Rafa Benitez.
By that point the damage had arguably already been done as despite Benitez ending the Magpies’ season on a six game unbeaten run, they were still relegated.
And McClaren shared his thoughts on his spell at Newcastle as he told BBC Sport: “Unfortunately, I was the right man at the wrong time.”
While Geordie fans will most likely disagree with McClaren in that respect, the former manager believes Newcastle can still be a successful club in the near future.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
“Run correctly and rightly, as a football club it will thrive,” he continued.
“What Rafa has done is gone in and gained control. It needed a big change.”
Fortunately, that change seems to have happened as Benitez has been working hard to mark his stamp on the club both inside and out.
From the recruitment policy to the youth academy, the Spaniard has altered plenty in his short time at the club and McClaren feels his successor is doing right thing.
“(Benitez) has bought players with Championship experience, leaders in the dressing room, which was something that was badly needed,” the former England boss added.
Newcastle currently sit second in the Championship table and will be looking to close the gap on leaders Huddersfield with a win at Queens Park Rangers tonight (7.45pm kick-off).
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
