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NG32

NG32

Posted
Posted

Interesting bit about him not seeing himself as an assistant for long, two or three years at most. Natural Free successor to McClaren is probably the club's thinking.

 

Having read that article you posted where they speak to Cathro, I'm wondering whether part of him agreeing to come here is that if he sticks it out until McClaren goes, he gets the gig.

 

Even makes me think that the strange way they said "three-year deal, possibly rising to eight" about McClaren's contract is that they always had a young, progressive assistant in mind (Neville, Zenden, Cathro); they evaluate whether McClaren might move upstairs permanently to assist/replace Carr after the three years and if so, ready-made replacement who already knows the club, city, squad etc.

 

Of course, that all sounds far too organised and forward-planned for our bloody cowboy outfit :lol:

 

They can barely make plans per transfer window,  never mind making long term plans on a scale like that.

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Paully

Paully

Posted
Posted

I wondered why Rio Ave stood out in my head!

 

 

 

Newcastle United believe they have landed one of the best up-and-coming coaches in football in Ian Cathro.

 

At 28 some may raise eyebrows and wonder why a lad who many Newcastle fans probably haven’t even heard of finds himself in such a position of responsibility.

 

However, while Cathro’s own playing CV does not extend beyond youth stints with Forfar, Clyde and then Brechin, the Scottish coach is deemed hot property in the coaching world.

 

Last season alone he helped guide Valencia to the Champions League play-offs after assisting Nuno Espirito Santo at the club that finished fourth in La Liga.

 

Since working with the former Porto keeper at the Mestalla the pair lost just six games from 42 matches.

 

And last term they managed to take four points from six from Real Madrid no less, beating them on home turf then picking up a point at the Bernabéu.

 

I actually witnessed the work of Nuno and Cathro two summers ago when their old club Rio Ave took on Newcastle in a pre-season game on a sunny day in Portugal.

 

That day, thanks to tactics drawn up by the duo, the Magpies were swept aside in Vila do Conde.

 

It may have only been a friendly match, but Nuno and Cathro’s side looked hungry.

 

In a 3-1 win they outworked Alan Pardew’s Magpies and, as the game went on, they quickly sussed out Newcastle and exploited the notable gaps.

 

On paper, a team containing Premier League players such as Yohan Cabaye, Moussa Sissoko, Steven Taylor, Sylvain Marveaux and Jonas Gutierrez should have been able to put up a fight against Rio Ave.

 

But they were quickly blown away in this one and found themselves shell-shocked and 3-0 down after 26 minutes.

 

In short, Newcastle had been blitzed by one of Europe’s emerging forces in the technical area and Newcastle’s backroom staff didn’t know how to cope.

 

Pardew’s only answer was his usual Plan B to throw on Shola Ameobi who pulled back a consolation, but by that time Rio Ave had the game sewn up and held on for a notable scalp.

 

Earlier that week I had the opportunity to speak to Cathro’s boss Nuno who played down the quality of his team before hand, and said: “We just want to play a good game with a good spectacle of quality.”

 

It was hard not to be impressed with some of things he said that day and what he and Cathro had achieved together at Rio Ave, a team from northern Portugal who had modest facilities.

 

Yet their style of football could only be admired.

 

I can’t say I was surprised to see the duo from Rio Ave find their way to Valencia and also perform well in one of the best leagues in the world in Spain’s top flight.

 

Cathro now finds himself at Newcastle and, while many fans are disappointed and in sullen mood due to the lack of transfers, the Scot’s arrival should be noted with a positive vibe.

 

He will work very closely with McClaren, having prowled the touchline with some of the world’s top managers like Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique and Diego Simeone

 

To walk away from a team on the brink of the Champions League group stages is a big statement, but Newcastle is the next move on a career that continues to rise and rise.

 

At just 23 he was Academy manager at Dundee United before his stints with Rio Ave and Valencia as No 2.

 

Some will question Cathro’s playing career but after suffering injuries he has been quite honest and open about his time as youth player in Scotland, saying: “I was never a good player, it wasn’t a major sob story”.

 

But as José Mourinho has proved you don’t always have to be a great player to be a great coach.

 

Cathro now emulates McClaren’s own career by shadowing a manager at a Premier League club.

 

That was the case for the 54-year-old at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson and Jim Smith at Derby County.

 

Yet some of Cathro’s soundbites in his already colourful career may strike a chord with Toon fans who like to see good football on the hallowed turf at St James’ Park.

 

When he was working with Dundee United youths he said: “Kids are not playing as much football.

 

“So we’re giving them back the touches they’d have got knocking the ball against a wall or playing 15-a-side with jumpers for goalposts until you were shouted at to come in for your tea or because it was dark.”

 

And when asked if he would be daunted about working in La Liga, he said once: “I understand that it’s a league with a massive appeal but I just see a ball, a pitch, goalposts.

 

“That’s constant wherever you go and that means you are less aware of all the superficial, glamorous parts that are made to make you feel bigger and more worthwhile.”

 

Cathro has also spoken of his desire to be a head coach one day.

 

But there have been hints of working in the UK.

 

Last year he said: “The two things I will need are a full pre-season to get my ideas across and to be somewhere where English is the first language.

 

“I can express myself confidently in Portuguese and I’m getting better with Spanish, but if I’m going to be in charge, I need to be able to communicate properly.”

 

It looks like Cathro has his wish.

 

 

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olliemort

olliemort

Posted
Posted

I'll wait until it's confirmed as always but it sounds encouraging IF it comes off. Always maintained that there's some talent in the squad and getting coached properly is the first step to turning this s*** around. The players aren't thick, they know that being coached by morons at a club where being 'just good enough' is positively encouraged is a breeding ground for bad habits and complacency. Who knows, it may even switch a few back on and they could even, possibly look interested and motivated into trying to fulfil their potential? Imagine that... ???

 

Approaching games with good information and tactical preparation is pretty much half the battle.

Exactly on both counts

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Optimistic Nut

Optimistic Nut

Posted
Posted

He also has all of his coaching badges.

 

"This is a very nice way. It is important to keep in touch with the Director of the Academies of Newcastle, Joe Joyce.

 

We had met at a Cerberus course, where he was invited to Switzerland. We maintained contacts called me and explained my role at Newcastle.

 

Of course I'm happy about this cooperation with the club where he played 21 years ago. "

 

It's something completely different, which does not affect my career as a coach. The market also is great and through interfaces that are informed if there is an interesting perspective.

 

These are issues that have been discussed with Joe Joyce. I am a professional coach and I want to continue in this way. "

 

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