Steve McClaren
"Thank you for the warm welcome"
I wanted to take the opportunity to write to you directly to thank you for the warm welcome I have received since I arrived at Newcastle United.
Anybody who knows me well has known for a long time that I’ve wanted to be Head Coach of this great club and now that I’m here, I’m relishing what is ahead.
My time here so far has been spent meeting a lot of people, both inside the club and outside. At any club, you have to absorb as much information as possible, adapt quickly and then put your own stamp on things. Planning is key.
On the surface, things can seem quiet, but beneath it, I want to assure you that we are striving to be prepared for the upcoming season. The hard work needed to push us where we want to go is well underway.
That was no clearer anywhere than at the training ground yesterday as we welcomed the players back for the first day of pre-season training. There are some very tough days and weeks ahead for all of us in terms of hard work but the players are applying themselves fantastically and they will need to maintain those high standards, especially as we add to the squad this summer.
I know the anticipation is already out there and that you want to see new players coming through the door immediately. That is natural. For me as head coach, however, it is so important that the right players come through the door. However long that takes, I want to make sure that we have just the type of people who can come in and force us forward.
I have certainly got that in my newly-appointed backroom team and I've had the pleasure of welcoming them to the club. I’m sure you will extend the same warm welcome to them as I have received.
Paul Simpson, who I know very well and have worked with for many years, has joined the club as assistant coach alongside Ian Cathro, who is rightly regarded as one of the most promising young coaches in Europe.
In addition, Alessandro Schoenmaker has joined the club as fitness coach and Steve Black, who many of you will know following his time here and at Newcastle Falcons, has returned to the club as a consultant. I have worked with both Alessandro and Steve before and, alongside goalkeeper coach Andy Woodman who remains at the club, their expertise will be hugely beneficial.
The plan we have as a club excites me. It isn't a quick fix, it’s not going to happen overnight. It’s going to take patience and ups and downs, knocks, highs and lows, but we have got an opportunity over time to really make a statement. I’m looking forward to being with you on the journey.
It is our intention to update you directly on a regular basis and we hope these direct messages will provide you with a greater insight into the club.
We will be in touch again before our first game at Gateshead next week, shortly before we depart for the US.
Best wishes,
