Steve McClaren lacks stature to lead Newcastle, says Henry Winter
Sunday 29 November 2015 12:06, UK
Henry Winter told the Sunday Supplement that Steve McClaren is "unconvincing" as Newcastle head coach and appears better suited to a No 2 role.
The Magpies have won just two matches in the Premier League this season and slipped into the relegation zone after a 5-1 thrashing at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The defeat comes just days after a training ground bust-up and increases the pressure on McClaren, who was only appointed in the summer.
The former England manager made his name as an assistant at Manchester United between 1999-2001 and Winter questioned whether that is his best role.
"He has the presence and aurora to be a No 2, we saw that at Man Utd," said The Times chief football writer. "But I just don't think for a club of that stature and emotional identity with the fans that he has the stature (to be manager).
"You hear him criticising the players and speaking afterwards and he is not convincing - the greatest managers are at their most impressive and most quotable in defeat.
"We saw with England that when the heat was on he couldn't deal with it. Man management is key, I don't think McClaren has that. The dressing room has individuals who need bringing into line."
Winter added that the players must also take responsibility for the club's struggles, including captain Fabricio Coloccini.
"Coloccini should be leading the dressing room," he said. "He should be saying 'whatever we think about McClaren, we have a duty to the people who pay us good money and to the Newcastle fans, who give everything each week to have pride in the team'.
"They are not doing it. I would look at Coloccini as much as McClaren."
The Mirror's Andy Dunn thinks the "buck stops with McClaren", saying: "It's become harder than they thought because they have made such a mess of it so far. McClaren, if he is a good coach he surely has to coach this team better than to be thumped 5-1 by Palace."
