AS WELL as appointing Steve McClaren as their new head coach, Newcastle United made changes to their boardroom on Wednesday, with owner Mike Ashley relinquishing his position as a director.

McClaren has been added to the board, alongside chief scout Graham Carr and club ambassador Bob Moncur, joining managing director Lee Charnley. Ashley has stepped down, while John Irving has left the club altogether.

Lee Charnley said: “This is a very positive step forward for the club and I am delighted that Steve, Graham and Bob will join me on the board.

“It was particularly important for us that the head coach also became a board member in order to gain a full understanding and appreciation for the club and its operations as a whole, not just the football side. In Steve we have an individual that embraced that responsibility.

“Graham and Bob’s passion for the club is beyond question and I believe given the collective skills, knowledge and experience, together, we are incredibly strong.

“Whilst, of course, we all have our individual primary duties, there is a huge common desire for the club as a whole to move forward and succeed.”

The Northern Echo:

INTRODUCING NEWCASTLE'S NEW BOARD

LEE CHARNLEY: Joined Newcastle United in 1999. The 37-year-old joined the board in 2008 and was appointed Managing Director in April 2014.

STEVE MCCLAREN: Appointed Head Coach of Newcastle United on 10 June 2015. The 54-year-old former England National Team Manager has also held managerial positions at Middlesbrough, FC Twente, Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest and most recently Derby County as well as being Assistant Manager under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

GRAHAM CARR: United’s Chief Scout since 2010. A native of Corbridge, the former Northampton Town manager, 70, is highly regarded in the game and brings a wealth of experience to the board.

BOB MONCUR: joined United in 1960 and is best remembered for captaining the club to Fairs Cup glory in 1969 where he scored three goals in the two-legged final. The 70-year-old made 360 appearances for the Magpies and remains a hugely respected figure on Tyneside.