Newcastle sack Steve McClaren: Five games which cost him his job

Following news that Newcastle have sacked Steve McClaren, we look at five games which cost him his job.

The former England boss outlined ambitions of a top-eight finish and success in the cups in pre-season. However, those aims soon proved to be far too ambitious and, after losing nine out of the last 12, he has been sacked. 

Here we look at five games which were decisive in ending McClaren's Newcastle reign...

Newcastle 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday, September 23, 2015 - Capital One Cup

What happened: Sheffield Wednesday made 10 changes to their starting XI for their trip to Newcastle, but still caused a cup upset by knocking the Premier League club out of the Capital One Cup in the third round, thanks to Lewis McGugan's winner. It meant Newcastle had won just one of McClaren's first eight games in charge.

What went wrong: Moussa Sissoko hit the woodwork in the first-half - but Wednesday hit the bar twice themselves. Siem de Jong wasted two good chances to equalise late on, but Newcastle only managed one shot on target all game.

What McClaren said: "Is the job harder than I thought? Absolutely. Without a doubt. People say it's a crisis and it's getting very close to it. We deserve to be criticised."

Sunderland 3-0 Newcastle, October 25, 2015 - Premier League

What happened: Sunderland had been bottom of the Premier League going into the derby but beat their rivals for a record sixth time in a row. An Adam Johnson penalty, plus second-half goals from Billy Jones and Steven Fletcher were the difference as Sam Allardyce scored a sweet victory over his former club.

What went wrong: Newcastle had gone into the game on the back of a morale-boosting 6-2 win over Norwich but a Fabricio Coloccini push on Fletcher saw the defender dismissed and Sunderland awarded a penalty, after the visitors had made a bright start. Newcastle - who had 13 shots in the first-half - paid for not taking their chances.

What McClaren said: "I was so positive about the performance of the players and the way we played. Even with 10 men we passed the ball, controlled the game, created chances - it just wasn't our day. I'm just aggrieved at the decisions on the day, which you can't control. They cost you football matches. I never make excuses, but it's a hard one to take."

Crystal Palace 5-1 Newcastle, November 28, 2015 - Premier League

What happened: After Allardyce, Alan Pardew was the next former Newcastle manager to enjoy a big win on his return. Papiss Cisse had given the visitors the lead, but James McArthur and Yannick Bolasie scored in quick succession before Wilfried Zaha added a third and McArthur and Bolasie netted again. In truth, Palace could have won by more. The defeat meant Newcastle dropped into the relegation zone.

What went wrong: What went right? The five goals shipped at Selhurst Park meant Newcastle had conceded the joint-most in the Premier League. A Coloccini slip in the build up to Palace's second was unfortunate but Chancel Mbemba made important errors for the third and fifth.

What McClaren said: "It's about hard work, covering and working for each other and winning your duels. It's about attitude and it's about running backwards as quickly as you run forwards. After the third goal we didn't do that. It's disappointing and not our standard, and it's not what the fans want."

Watford 1-0 Newcastle, January 9, 2016 - FA Cup

What happened: Troy Deeney ended Newcastle's hopes of winning a trophy this season - one of McClaren's stated aims at the start of the campaign. It was Newcastle's fourth third-round exit from the FA Cup in a row.

What went wrong: Once again, Newcastle had good chances but were unable to find the net and a mistake from Georginio Wijnaldum allowed Deeney to score. Even a switch to 3-5-2 couldn't help Newcastle end their four-game run without a goal.

What McClaren said: "We're all angry and frustrated. The players in there, believe you me, they're disappointed. Fifty thousand people have to get behind this team and support this team. We have to stick together. I know it's difficult, it's difficult for all of us to show a little bit of patience, but there's work going on."

Newcastle 1-3 Bournemouth, March 5, 2016 - Premier League

What happened: Bournemouth heaped pressure on Newcastle boss McClaren, who was the target of boos and abuse from the frustrated home fans. A Steven Taylor own goal, followed by strikes from Joshua King and Charlie Daniels, either side of Ayoze Perez's response, left the Magpies stuck in the drop zone.

What went wrong: Taylor's own goal was unfortunate, but striker Emmanuel Riviere, making his first start of the season, was poor and substituted at half time. Many of the Newcastle players struggled in front of a fierce home crowd, with the dissent clearly apparent at the final whistle, after the Magpies' fifth defeat in six matches was confirmed. 

What McClaren said: "I have had it before, it's not pleasant and I don't like it. I am as frustrated and angry as the crowd with the performance but we can't say that's it, we have to fight and solve it. I fully believe that what myself and the staff are doing is right. We need to perform better and do our jobs better. We have a lot of players injured and a makeshift back four. We are not having the best of luck but you make your luck by working harder."

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