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| How Steve McClaren's Newcastle reign went wrong |
Newcastle United have sacked head coach Steve McClaren.
The former England boss won just six of 28 Premier League games in charge of the Magpies, who are just one place off the foot of the table.
McClaren and his team were booed off following Saturday's 3-1 loss to Bournemouth at St James' Park - their third successive league defeat.
Former Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan boss Rafael Benitez has been tipped to take over.
McClaren's future has been a source of almost constant speculation since the defeat to the Cherries.
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker tweeted: "Newcastle have finally put Steve McClaren out of his misery.
"The running of that great football club is beyond shambolic."
Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 live's senior football reporter, said Benitez had been identified as a replacement for McClaren at a board meeting on Monday.
"Rafa in the driving seat to replace McClaren," tweeted former Magpies striker Michael Owen. "Whoever takes over, I still expect Newcastle to stay up."
McClaren, 54, signed a three-year contract with the Magpies in June after the club avoided relegation on the final day of last season.
Newcastle's next game is at leaders Leicester City on Monday.
Club statement
"After the defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, the club has spent some time considering its position and has today concluded that Steve McClaren's employment with the club will end with immediate effect.
"We acknowledge that reaching this decision has taken a number of days and that this has caused uncertainty for everyone involved, in particular for Steve and the players, for which we apologise.
"However, we felt that this time was necessary to ensure the right decisions were reached with the best interests of the club at heart.
"Managing director Lee Charnley added: 'I would like to thank Steve personally for his services to Newcastle United.
"'He is a man of integrity and class and he has conducted himself with great dignity during this difficult time.
"'Steve worked tirelessly to try and bring success to Newcastle United.
"'He has the utmost respect of all the players, staff and management and he leaves with our very best wishes and sincere thanks.
"'We feel that a change is now needed in order to give the club the best possible chance of securing its Premier League future. A further announcement on a successor to Steve will be made in due course.'"
Reaction
Former Newcastle defender Steve Howey agreed with Lineker that the club's handling of McClaren's sacking had been "pretty shambolic".
He added: "That seems to sum Newcastle up at the moment.
"Everyone thought after the defeat by Bournemouth there would be discussions straight after the game with the board - which Steve is on - and a decision could be made before the new week started.
"It dragged on and, to be fair to Steve, he's shown superb professionalism. He's carried on knowing all along that he was going to be leaving."
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