NEWCASTLE UNITED continue to regard Steve McClaren as their preferred choice of permanent head coach, even though Derby County officials have signalled a determination to hold on to the former England boss no matter what league they are playing in next season.

As revealed in The Northern Echo immediately after Alan Pardew’s departure, McClaren heads Newcastle’s wanted list as they ponder the appointment of a long-term head coach this summer.

The Derby boss signed a three-year contract at the IPro Stadium last August, but the terms of his deal are understood to include a £2m release clause, and the Magpies are willing to pay to recruit the 53-year-old.

McClaren was aware of the club’s interest at the turn of the year, but vowed to see out the current campaign with Derby.

The Rams’ hopes of automatic promotion from the Championship have suffered a series of blows in recent weeks, and they currently find themselves five points adrift of the top two with just seven games remaining.

If Derby miss out on a place in the Premier League, Newcastle’s recruitment team, which is headed by managing director Lee Charnley, will be confident of being able to persuade McClaren to return to the North-East, where he previously led Middlesbrough to a Carling Cup triumph and an appearance in the Europa League final.

The discussions will be more difficult if Derby win promotion, although the Newcastle hierarchy would still hope that a promise of major summer investment would be sufficient to lure McClaren to Tyneside.

Either way, their efforts will be met with resistance from the Derby board, with chief executive Sam Rush determined to hold on to his club’s current boss.

“Whether it is speculation about your manager or players, you are likely to have this sort of thing if people are being successful,” said Rush. “Traditionally, it is more likely to be with players, but I think the job Steve has done here has been significant.

“Of course the job he has done has been seen by other clubs, clubs perhaps that have been less successful and see what we are doing at Derby and how potentially they can improve their own positions.

“The position from Steve has been very consistent. He was only three or four months into his new contract when the speculation first came out, and he dismissed it then.

“From my point of view, I think Derby County is an incredibly exciting football club. I can’t think of anywhere anyone would rather be, especially given the start of the building programme Steve has undertaken and how well he has done.”

Whatever happens in terms of the appointment of a permanent head coach, John Carver is set to be offered a position as part of the backroom team, with Charnley and Mike Ashley having been impressed with the current incumbent’s efforts during his role as interim boss.

Meanwhile, Rangers have confirmed they will have to pay Newcastle £500,000 if they are promoted to the Scottish Premier League as part of the loan agreement that saw five of the Magpies’ fringe players move to Ibrox in January.