Newcastle United close in on key appointment as deadline passes

O’Carroll left his position as St Mirren’s assistant manager in September to take over as the Magpies under-21s lead coach. In his opening two months, O’Carroll has been without a permanent number two with former Sunderland boss Jack Ross performing the role on a temporary basis.

The Magpies have advertised the assistant coach position on their official website with the job description as followed:

“We’re looking for an experienced, forward thinking coach to assist the Player Development Coach (Lead U21) with the day-to-day supervision of the U21 squad (including multidisciplinary performance staff) to produce players capable of making the transition to first team football, primarily at NUFC.

“Working in conjunction with the conjunction with the Lead U21 Coach, Assistant Player Development Coach will implement the Academy and Club playing philosophy, ensuring the Club’s principles and style of play are adhered to and that clear and consistent messages are communicated at all times.

“The role will also have responsibility for collaboratively implementing and reviewing the Academy coaching curriculum ensuring it fits with the Academy playing and coaching philosophies, that it is phase specific, caters for individual needs, and takes into account modern trends within the game.

“Taking a truly collaborative approach to support the Lead Player Development Coach the role will assist with monthly player review meetings, discussing learning plans and player progress against their process, performance and outcome goals.”

And it appears United are nearing an appointment after the deadline for applications closed on 12pm Monday.

Since taking charge of Newcastle’s second string, O’Carroll has won three out of four games in Premier League 2 as well as beating Halifax Town in normal time before winning on penalties against Tamworth in the National League Cup.

However, back-to-back defeats away to Rotherham United and Mansfield Town saw the young Magpies finish bottom of their Bristol Street Motors Trophy group.