New Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren has replaced owner Mike Ashley on the club's Board of Directors.<p>

McClaren was appointed as Magpies boss on Wednesday and also assumed a role on the board to become the only manager in the Premier League to hold such a position.<p>
Ashley steps aside but will remain as owner while finance director John Irving has also relinquished his place on the board with chief scout Graham Carr, club ambassador Bob Moncur and managing director Lee Charnley sitting alongside McClaren.<p>
"This is a very positive step forward for the club and I am delighted that Steve, Graham and Bob will join me on the board," Charnley told the club's <i>official website</i>.<p>
"It was particularly important for us that the head coach also became a board member in order to gain a full understanding and appreciation for the club and its operations as a whole, not just the football side.<p>
"In Steve we have an individual who embraced that responsibility.<p>
"Graham and Bob's passion for the club is beyond question and I believe given the collective skills, knowledge and experience, together, we are incredibly strong.<p>
"Whilst, of course, we all have our individual primary duties, there is a huge common desire for the Club as a whole to move forward and succeed."