Steve McClaren survives at Newcastle '“ but axe could yet fall

Fans chanted for McClaren’s dismissal during Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Bournemouth.

And the club held board-level talks, led by managing director Lee Charnley, over McClaren’s future in York yesterday.

But the discussions, involving Bob Moncur and Graham Carr, did not reach a firm conclusion – and McClaren – who was not invited to the meeting – remains head coach.

However, the 54-year-old has been given no assurances about his future ahead of Monday night’s game at Leicester City.

The club could yet make a change before the game at the King Power Stadium, with McClaren himself having braced himself for the sack after a troubled few months on the field.

There will be more discussions this week over McClaren in the wake of the Bournemouth result.

The defeat left the club second-bottom of the Premier League and a point adrift of safety.

Out-of-work managers David Moyes, Rafa Benitez, Nigel Pearson, Brendan Rodgers and Harry Redknapp have all been linked with the job at United.

The club, which has won just six league games all season, has just 10 matches left.

McClaren, acutely aware of the mood on Tyneside, must now try to pick up his players for the Leicester game not knowing whether he will still be in charge for the fixture.

Newcastle made no comment on McClaren’s future yesterday.

And McClaren himself insisted that he would not step down after the Bournemouth result.