Worried by the abysmal performance of the club in the ongoing English Premier League campaign, the management of Newcastle United has sacked manager, Steve McClaren.
McClaren was appointed in the summer after the club escaped relegation in the last game of last season, a battle they are fighting again this season.
A club statement, signed by Managing Director Lee Charnley, said: “After the defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday the Club has spent some time considering its position and has today concluded that Steve McClaren’s employment with the Club will end with immediate effect.
“We acknowledge that reaching this decision has taken a number of days and that this has caused uncertainty for everyone involved, in particular for Steve and the players, for which we apologise.
“However we felt that this time was necessary to ensure the right decisions were reached with the best interests of the Club at heart.
“I would like to thank Steve personally for his services to Newcastle United. He is a man of integrity and class and he has conducted himself with great dignity during this difficult time.
“Steve worked tirelessly to try and bring success to Newcastle United. He has the utmost respect of all the players, staff and management and he leaves with our very best wishes and sincere thanks.
“We feel that a change is now needed in order to give the Club the best possible chance of securing its Premier League future.
“A further announcement on a successor to Steve will be made in due course.”
However, the club has reportedly approached immediate-past Real Madrid manager, Rafa Benitez, The Sun reports.
The Spaniard, who has a lot of Premier League experience with Liverpool and Chelsea, has been promised a massive bonus and a long-term deal if he can keep the club from being relegated.
He is yet to come to a decision.
Newcastle sit in 19th place on the table, with 24 points in 28 games.
The club is level on points with 18th-placed Norwich City, but with a game in hand, and one point below 17th-placed Sunderland.