Steve McClaren believes he compromised too much during his time in charge at Newcastle United.
The former England manager took over at St James Park in June 2015 but failed to make it through a full season at the helm.
With Newcastle languishing down in 19th place, McClaren was sacked in March. He had picked up just six wins in 28 Premier League games.
I m frustrated with my time at Newcastle and especially with the way it ended, McClaren told BBC Radio 5 Live.
I went in with my eyes open and I knew the situation I was getting myself into, but the mistake I made was that I compromised too much.
You have to go in and lead and manage. I compromised too much especially early on, instead of saying, we need this, we need this, we need this .
West Brom caretaker boss Rob Kelly says the players must remain professional in the wake of the sacking of head coach Alan Irvine.
Just over six months after being appointed to the job, Irvine was fired by the club on Monday following a run of seven defeats in nine Premier League matches.
That sequence saw West Brom drop to 16th in the table, just one point above the drop zone.
Irvine s exit marked the third managerial change at the Hawthorns in 12 months, after Steve Clarke departed last December to be replaced by Pepe Mel, who subsequently left at the end of the 2013-14 campaign.
With a visit to West Ham looming on Thursday, Kelly says the players and staff at the club have to prepare for the game as best they can.
I got a phone call last …
Mesut Oezil has stressed that Germany cannot afford to solely focus on Cristiano Ronaldo in their Euro 2012 opener against Portugal.
Germany meet the Seleccao on Saturday as they aim to start the European Championship on a high, and Oezil feels that their opponents have a solid team on the whole, and do not rely on the Real Madrid man.
We are not playing against Cristiano Ronaldo. We are taking on Portugal, Oezil said.
They are collectively very strong and have some great individuals. Pepe is absolutely world-class in my opinion, and Fabio Coentrao has a lot of pace and technique.
Portugal are one of the favourites to win the tournament, alongside Spain, Netherlands and France.
The attacking midfielder credited Ronaldo for helping him when he…
Marcello Lippi started his second stint on the Italy bench in unspectacular fashion here on Wednesday as the world champions were held 2-2 by Austria in a friendly.
A lucky Alberto Gilardino effort and a dreadful own goal by substitute keeper Ramazan Ozcan earned Italy a draw after Emanuel Pogatetz and Marc Janko had put the Austrians 2-0 up.
But the Azzurri were vulnerable at the back, wasted several chances in attack and the performance suggested that 2006 World Cup-winner Lippi has a lot to do after being recalled to replace Roberto Donadoni following their disappointing Euro 2008 campaign.
It was beautiful to be back, a bit less to be 2-0 down, Lippi told Rai television.
There was a little lack of attention, in part because, while they might not …
Former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini is expected to continue his career in Spanish La Liga, according to Marca.
The 33-year-old has been searching for a new club ever since he was released by Crystal Palace last summer, and he spent some time on trial with Getafe back in December.
Marca claims that the La Liga side have decided to offer Flamini a contract and he should put pen to paper in the coming days.
The Frenchman seems to have made his mind after speaking with new Getafe signing Loic Remy, with head coach Jose Bordalas also eager for the player to join.
Flamini would probably need some time to rediscover his form having last featured in a competitive match back in May 2017.
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Former Real Madrid and Inter star Ronaldo is uncertain if Mauro Icardi would be interested in joining the Spanish champions.
A dip in form of forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema this season has led to speculation Madrid will seek to spend heavily on attacking reinforcements before 2018-19.
Bayern Munich s Robert Lewandowski continues to be linked with a move but Inter captain Icardi is also reported to be a prime target.
Argentina head coach Jorge Sampaoli last month claimed the striker had his head turned by Madrid s interest, with the 24-year-old having scored only once in his last five Serie A appearances.
But Brazil great Ronaldo believes Icardi is happy at San Siro and is not sure if he would agree to a move.
I m convinced Icardi is…
