John Carver: Newcastle caretaker manager leaves with Steve Stone

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, John Carver won just three games while in charge of Newcastle

Newcastle United have confirmed caretaker manager John Carver and coach Steve Stone have left the club.

91热爆 Sport learned on Tuesday that the pair had been sacked, with former England coach Steve McClaren favourite to be the next Magpies boss.

Carver, 50, won three of his 20 games in charge following the departure of Alan Pardew to Crystal Palace.

Managing director Lee Charnley said a new head coach would now be able to "build his own coaching team".

Carver, who led the Magpies to Premier League survival on the last day of the season, said it had been a "privilege" to manage the team.

He added: "The fans and the region deserve a successful team and both myself and my support staff worked very hard with the squad that was available to us.

"I wish the club every success for the future and, steeled with the experience of the last six months, I am eager and ready for the next challenge."

McClaren, 54, was sacked by Derby County last month after failing to take them to the Championship play-offs.

He was twice approached by Newcastle towards the end of the season but preferred to stay at Derby.

Charnley said: "After discussions with John it was mutually agreed that in the best interests of the club, and to enable the new head coach to build his own coaching team, we would go our separate ways.

"John loves Newcastle United and no-one could have worked with more passion and enthusiasm than he did."

Carver, who played as a junior for Newcastle, returned to his hometown club in 2010 and was appointed assistant manager to Pardew the following year.

In May, after taking nine points from a possible 48, Carver said he was the best coach in the Premier League, adding: "If I have the right tools I can do the job."

He also accused one of his own players, defender Mike Williamson, of getting sent off on purpose in the 3-0 defeat by Leicester.

Former Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Stone, 43, joined Newcastle as academy coach in 2009, before being appointed reserve-team assistant manager. He was later promoted to first-team coach under Pardew.