The Magpies legend, who spent 20 years as a player at St James’ Park, is stepping down from his goalkeeping coach role.
Newcastle United are bidding farewell to one of their most esteemed club legends once again as Steve Harper unexpectedly stepped down from his post as goalkeeping coach with the club’s academy.
The 44-year-old Magpies stalwart was appointed last summer and has been working closely with Ben Dawson this season, helping the Under-23 reach both the Premier League Cup final and Premier League 2 playoff final.
Newcastle’s youngsters also did well in the 2018-19 Checkatrade Trophy, overcoming four EFL teams to reach the latter stages of the competition, where they took on Sunderland’s senior team.
In a Twitter post, Harper said he is leaving the coaching role to pursue other opportunities in the game, and also commented on how he does not want to be “seen as a help or a hindrance” to his youngest son, who is going into the academy, by being in the same department as him.
However, Harper – who spent 20 years at Newcastle – said will continue as a trustee of the NUFC Foundation and looks set to keep working with Northern Ireland at international level.
Here is how some of the Toon Army faithful reacted to the announcement:
According to Chronicle Live, Harper’s exit marks the start of a summer of change at the Newcastle academy, with a new Under-23 coach set to be appointed and a loan coordinator also believed to be coming in.
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