Ian Cathro has given an interview to BBC Sport and we expect him to be announced today as part of Steve McClaren’s new coaching team – just a day before the players report back for pre-season training tomorrow.
Certainly Ian is very ambitious and seems to have his career laid out in front of him – at least in his own mind – and he sees himself being a head coach down the line – but not too far down the line.
Ian Cathro – Newcastle a club willing to grow
First of all he will be at Newcastle, and it’s an exciting appointment for Ian, with him still being only 28 years old.
This is what he has said:
“It’s a forward step to a different type of football. Not stronger or weaker, different.” “I wanted a fresh challenge and didn’t want to just sit it out over there and wait for the right manager’s job to come up.”
“To come into British football as a manager with no experience of working with English-speaking players is perhaps not advisable anyway, so this makes perfect sense.”
“Steve coming in has brought a freshness and enthusiasm to get the club back to where it should be and serve the love that exists for it.”
“I’m convinced that it’s a club willing to grow and would be comfortable higher in the league. It’s now ready to do that.”
Last season at Valencia he helped head coach Nuno Espirito Santo get the team up to fourth place in the Spanish League in their first season there, just one point behind Atletico Madrid, and into the Champions League.
But he left Spain a few weeks ago for personal reasons, and has now joined a club who only just avoided relegation on the last day of last season and also fought against relegation back in 2013.
Ian was asked about changing from a successful club to one struggling in the Premier League:
“I’m completely comfortable with it.” “I’m going to watch Valencia in the Champions League and in La Liga and enjoy them playing in wonderful games in great stadiums.”
“But I’ve no fear of missing out because the intention is to go to that level again.” “If that was with Newcastle, that would be perfect, but if not I’ll certainly be back working abroad in the next five to 10 years.”
We haven’t heard much at all from Newcastle for over a week now, so we expect there to be some communication today – at least about what Steve McClaren’s coaching eam will be.
Here’s hoping.
Comments welcome.
7 comments so far
Lilongwe Geordie
Jun 30, 2015 at 7:46 AM
Comment #1Lilongwe Geordie // Jun 30, 2015 at 7:45 AM
Jib,
I’d say the vast majority worth getting have either already been got, or have been negotiating for weeks already with clubs. There aren’t many that would be particularly appealing to our model of transfers. The only one I can think of that I’d like here is the Peruvian, Zambrano. Out of contract at Frankfurt, he may have already gone as well mind, but I don’t remember seeing anything on that.
Ron Knee
Jun 30, 2015 at 7:47 AM
Comment #2jesper
I suppose the mystery is what does Ashley think of the inept Charmless? Fatso must know season tickets sales are down. Does he care?
Bambams
Jun 30, 2015 at 7:51 AM
Comment #3Strong words keep coming out about the club moving forward.
Surely the likes of Cathro must know something re imminent signings….
Or am i just clutching at straws
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jun 30, 2015 at 7:52 AM
Comment #4So it’s custom to Newcastle to let their coaches proclaim their appointment before the club now?
…I remember JFK did that as well but I didn’t now is was custom now?
Maybe this is a sign of something not working right at Newcastle. No one knows who’s doing what.
There haven’t really been a word from Newcastle since McClaren signed on. Who’s doing the communication at the club?
I remember Charmless’ rehearsed interview where he said the HC will be talking about the football aspects of the club and everything else would come from him. Has he even talked since?
Something is definitely not right at our club!
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jun 30, 2015 at 7:55 AM
Comment #5Ron…that exact thing has been a puzzle to me for a while;
It’s not just the season tickets. The value of alot of players are down ad well and we are missing out on future gains on players like Bony and so on…
Lilongwe Geordie
Jun 30, 2015 at 7:56 AM
Comment #6You would imagine that they would announce, or at least confirm the entire back room staff today, given pre season begins tomorrow. Unless they aren’t going to announce or confirm at all, and people just have to see them at the training ground/on benches during matches.
If it is to be Simpson, Cathro, Black, Schoenmaker and Woodman then I think it is another vote for mediocrity. Cathro and Black are the only positives there.
Simpson has a CV that even Carver would be ashamed of, Schoenmaker worked at Derby with Sports science and strength and conditioning, but they were widely credited with collapsing last season due to fitness and injuries.
Woodman, well, at least his son seems to have a lot of promise. That is the only good thing I can take from his time with the club.
Add all that to McClaren who, whilst is a good coach, doesn’t seem to have a character that handles pressure. Top that off with Beardsley still being with the Under 21’s, Watson the Under 18’s, and this new back room staff has an underwhelming feel to it.
mactoon
Jun 30, 2015 at 11:44 AM
Comment #7That’ll be the last interview BBC Sport gets if he does join us!