Former Newcastle striker Michael Owen has often said that Steve McClaren is one of the best coaches he ever worked with in football and he worked with Steve when Steve was both the assistant manager of England when Sven-Goran Eriksson was the manager and then when Steve himself was manager of England himself, for what turned out to be disastrous 16 month spell which ended in 2007, when we failed to qualify for Euro 2018.
Michael Owen – smile you are on (candid) camera
So it may not be too surprising, given that Steve McClaren is now at one of Michael’s former (great) clubs that he thinks that Newcastle United could be the surprise package of the season in the Premier League.
Michael, who is now 35 had this to say on Sportlobster’s official YouTube channel:
“I’m going to go for Newcastle, my old club.” “One of the main reasons is Steve McClaren. He is one of the best coaches I have ever worked and he has interestingly gone back into the divisions where he used to manage to recruit some of the players for Newcastle this year.”
“Mike Ashley splashed the cash for the first time in a long time and I think, in the appointment of Steve McClaren, he has made a real masterstroke there. I think they are going to perform well, I think they’re going to get into the top half.”
“I think Newcastle are going to have a good season with Steve McClaren at the helm.”
We were not too happy when Steve was appointed head coach in early June, but he comes over as both a gentleman and somebody who knows the game so well, and seems to be an excellent man-manager.
That’s something the players certainly didn’t have earlier this year under the woeful John Carver.
Now we just have to hope that Michael is accurate in his prediction, but we did make a very reasonable start last Sunday against Southampton, and that will not be our strongest team this season that Steve can field.
Howay The Lads!
8 comments so far
TacoFlavoredKisses ForMyBen-arfa
Aug 12, 2015 at 9:12 PM
Comment #1Ownes comments OUT
seriously who cares what he thinks?
toonicle
Aug 12, 2015 at 9:16 PM
Comment #2Gotta say I was disappointed when Steve was appointed but the guy has totally won me over so far… Just one or two things to sort out still and we could be top 8…
hibbit
Aug 12, 2015 at 9:18 PM
Comment #3toon kk you took that the wrong way i ment from home grown player quoter limit not that he is a geordie
Ravostag
Aug 12, 2015 at 9:35 PM
Comment #4Why take notice of his comments????? Whose bothered!!!!
matt11_25
Aug 12, 2015 at 10:09 PM
Comment #5I care what he says, esp. on this matter, he has had personal experience with our current coach. Nice article Ed, too often you are criticized for the service you provide.
Breaking: Owen knows more about football than Taco & Ravostag
toonincheek
Aug 12, 2015 at 10:12 PM
Comment #6Almost always, we dismiss his comments as rubbish.
lesh
Aug 12, 2015 at 10:18 PM
Comment #7Toonicle
I’m sure your earlier comment (McClaren’s won you over) will be endorsed by the vast majority of fans. There will inevitability be detractors (coz without detractors, farmers couldn’t plough defields! 😀 ) with a few on here no doubt.
But the detractors should consider Owen’s views like those of others who’ve worked with him, as based on first-hand experience of the man and his methods – more than most of his critics!.
andylisle1892
Aug 13, 2015 at 10:35 AM
Comment #8I was disappointed when we didn’t qualify for Euro 2018 in 2007. Proof reading required!!!