Steve McClaren continues to command strong support in the corridors of power at Newcastle United where he is vying with Patrick Vieira for the manager’s job.
Much hinges on the outcome of talks involving Vieira, the Manchester City under-21 coach, and Lee Charnley, Newcastle’s managing director, who hopes to be in a position to name John Carver’s successor by the end of the week.
Vieira has made it clear he will leave City for the right managerial position but will join Newcastle only if he is offered certain assurances regarding autonomy. Unless Mike Ashley, Newcastle’s owner, has experienced a volte face this could represent a sticking point as his head coaches have traditionally enjoyed limited influence over transfer market activities.
After four years at the Etihad in various non-playing roles the former Arsenal and France midfielder is close to obtaining his pro licence qualification and feels ready to become a No1.
Vieira is highly regarded at City where he is on a 12-month rolling contract worth around £1.5m a year. It appears City would want Newcastle to pay that amount in compensation although the open ended nature of his one year “roll-on” deal suggests Ashley could well attempt to negotiate a rather more modest compromise figure.
Those in the Newcastle hierachy championing McClaren’s cause are concerned by Vieira’s inexperience and fear one of English football’s most challenging jobs could prove too big for a first foray into management.
As a former Middlesbrough manager, still living in the north-east, McClaren – sacked by Derby County last week – has the advantage of knowing the region inside out. The former England manager’s record is mixed but the 54-year-old is an excellent training ground coach who won the League Cup and reached the Uefa Cup final with Boro before winning the Dutch title at FC Twente.
There is understood to be a third choice – possibly Michael Laudrup – on Charnley’s shortlist but he appears very much a backstop option unlikely to come under serious consideration unless negotiations with the two leading contenders founder.
Carver is expected to revert to his former assistant’s role next season and received support on Monday from Ryan Taylor. The defender, who revealed both he and Jonás Gutiérrez were told they were to be released over the telephone, said: “He’s a good friend of mine ... I can’t really blame John because he’s under instructions on what to do.”
