• Ex-England manager Steve McClaren announced as Newcastle United boss
  • McClaren twice turned down the Magpies but will now take charge of club
  • He succeeds interim boss John Carver who was sacked earlier this week  
  • Owner Mike Ashley to hand new boss McClaren a sizeable transfer budget 

Craig Hope for MailOnline

Newcastle United have confirmed Steve McClaren as their new head coach on an initial three-year contract with an option of another five years that would extend it to eight. 

The 50-year-old has twice turned down the Magpies this year but will now take charge ahead of next season.

McClaren was at St James’ Park on Wednesday and met with managing director Lee Charnley to finalise the terms of a three-year deal.

Steve McClaren, sacked by Derby County, has been appointed as the new Newcastle United manager

Steve McClaren, sacked by Derby County, has been appointed as the new Newcastle United manager

McClaren has signed a three-year deal with Newcastle but that could be extended by up to eight years

‘This Club has waited far too long to win a trophy,’ McClaren told Sky Sports News. ‘That’s one of my primary objectives here.

‘I’ve already won trophies as a manager, and a club the size of Newcastle United should be winning cups and finishing in the top eight in the Premier League.

‘I’m determined to give the supporters of Newcastle United a team they can be proud of. The hard work starts now.’ 

McClaren rejected Newcastle’s approach in January in the wake of Alan Pardew’s exit and again said ‘no’ with three matches of the season remaining, on both occasions deciding to remain at Derby County, where he was eventually sacked last month after missing out on the Championship play-offs.

Chief scout Graham Carr remained in contact with McClaren throughout and it was he who first recommended the former England manager for the role. 

Talks resumed earlier this month and, after agreeing in principal to take over, McClaren returned from a holiday in Crete on Tuesday before heading to the North-East to complete his move.

Owner Mike Ashley is set to arm Carr and McClaren with a sizeable transfer budget as they bid to right the wrongs of last season – in which they only avoided relegation on the final day – and QPR striker Charlie Austin tops their list of targets.

McClaren will also begin the task of assembling his backroom team, with Derby County assistant Paul Simpson expected to follow him to Tyneside.

More to follow…

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