John Carver leaves Newcastle

John Carver has left Newcastle as the club prepares to appoint a new head coach.

The 50-year-old, who took charge of the final 20 games of last season, 19 of them in the Barclays Premier League, has parted company with the Magpies along with coach Steve Stone.

Former England boss Steve McClaren is the overwhelming favourite to be appointed as Alan Pardew's permanent successor when he returns from holiday later this week.

Carver, who replaced Pardew when he headed for Crystal Palace in January, had hoped to keep the job, but after a dreadful second half of the campaign - during which Newcastle won just three league games and only secured their top-flight status on the final day - his hopes were dashed.

His task was made all the more difficult by injuries to key players and disciplinary problems - leading scorer Papiss Cisse was banned for seven of the last 10 games for spitting at Manchester United defender Jonny Evans - which left him struggling to field a competitive team at times.

However, as fans reacted furiously to owner Mike Ashley's decision not to invest in the squad in January and managing director Lee Charnley's to delay the appointment of Pardew's replacement, he found himself in the firing line.

Carver did enjoy the support of both men within St James' Park, and was involved in early planning for a summer recruitment drive.

But he will not be the man to benefit from whatever funds Ashley does release - and the sportswear tycoon has indicated they will be significant - as the club turn their attention elsewhere.

McClaren was contacted on two separate occasions during Carver's brief reign, but opted to remain at Derby, only to be sacked in the wake of a disappointing conclusion to the Rams' Sky Bet Championship promotion campaign.