STEVE MCCLAREN has been officially announced as Newcastle United’s new head coach.

The 54-year-old put pen to paper on a three-year contract on Wednesday and has been given the task of finishing in a top-eight position in the Premier League.

McClaren takes over from John Carver, who was dismissed on Tuesday alongside first team coach Steve Stone.

McClaren has also been given a place on the United board of directors, alongside chief scout Graham Carr and club ambassador Bob Moncur, while the club announced that Mike Ashley has relinquished his place on the board. Finance director John Irving has left the club.

The board of directors now comprises McClaren, Moncur, Carr and chief executive Lee Charnley.

McClaren left Derby County at the end of last season having failed to make the Championship play-offs, and in August will manage his first Premier League game since leaving Boro to take up the England manager’s job in 2006.

The Northern Echo:

  • COMMENT: A DECENT MAN FOR A TOUGH JOB

    Speaking of his appointment McClaren said: “I am privileged to be appointed head coach of Newcastle United. This is a big club with a wonderful heritage.

“St. James’ Park is like a cathedral on a Saturday afternoon, a symbol for the city and I am excited to be given this opportunity.

“I know how important Newcastle United is to the city and the region.

“The supporters are some of the most loyal, passionate and devoted in the world.  Despite everything they maintain their faith.  We owe it to them to do everything we can to reward them with success.

“There’s a lot of work to do, but the club has made it clear about wanting success, and I would not have come here if I didn’t believe they were serious.

“This club has waited far too long to win a trophy. 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.”

Following his disastrous tenure in charge of the national team, in which he failed to qualify for Euro 2008, McClaren spent two seasons at Dutch side FC Twente where he became the first English coach since Sir Bobby Robson to win the Eredivisie, then endured a disappointing spell with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, returning to England in 2011 for a brief spell with Nottingham Forest.

A second, less successful spell with Twente followed in 2012, before he took over the Rams in 2013 where his side lost in the 2014 Championship play-off final to Queens Park Rangers, and missed out altogether this season following a remarkable loss of form in the second half of the season.

Managing Director, Lee Charnley, said: "From my first meeting with Steve I knew he was the perfect fit for Newcastle United. 

"I am delighted that we have secured the services of one of the best coaches in English football.  He has 20 years' experience, including for the national team and at the highest level of European competition. 

"His most notable achievements include winning the Eredivisie with FC Twente and guiding Middlesbrough to a League Cup win in 2004 and to the final of the UEFA Cup in 2006.

“He has a proven track record of being an innovative and forward thinking coach and developing and improving players, which was a key quality we sought in the individual to fill this role.

“He also brings with him a great enthusiasm and passion for the job, the club and the city, which he articulated to me very clearly from the outset.  This is a huge job which comes with considerable pressures and I am convinced that Steve not only understands the weight of expectation that comes with this role, but that he has the strength of character and professionalism befitting of a club of our size and status.

“Steve has been tasked to secure a top eight finish in the Premier League and he is also heavily incentivised to try to win a cup competition.

“We recognise supporters’ strong desire to win a trophy, an ambition which the club now shares as Mike Ashley made clear in his comments on the last day of the season.  Steve is excited by this and he has our full support in trying to achieve this goal.

“Our immediate focus will be on working with Steve to assess and improve upon our playing squad, as well as appointing individuals to his backroom staff.”