Exclusive: Former Newcastle boss warns Steve McClaren he must not lose against Sunderland

Newcastle boss Steve McClaren will relive the darkest of his career if he loses the Tyne-Wear derby

STEVE McCLAREN will relive the darkest day of his managerial career if he loses tomorrow's Tyne-Wear derby at the Stadium of Light.

 

That is the stark warning from John Carver, the man he replaced as Newcastle boss, who was plunged into despair when Sunderland notched up their fifth successive win over their rivals under his watch last season.

"This is a game Steve dare not lose," said Carver, who stepped down in May after the Magpies narrowly avoided relegation.

"That night in 2007 when England lost against Croatia at Wembley to miss out on the Euros was the lowest point for him.

"Well, being manager of Newcastle when Sunderland beat you is just as bad - and I should know."

 

Lifelong Toon fan Carver labelled the last derby on Wearside as "the game we cannot lose", even bringing in Fab Flournoy, inspirational coach of the city's all-conquering basketball side Newcastle Eagles, to address his players.

But they lost, giving a listless display which effectively shattered Carver's dream of landing the job on a long-term basis.

McClaren has deliberately adopted a low-key approach, even calling the fixture "just another game".

But Carver disputes that tag, saying: "Put it this way, when you lose, it's certainly not just another defeat.

 

Former Newcastle boss John Carver - This is a game Steve dare not lose

"I always tried to remain upbeat when I was in charge but I struggled in the days after Sunderland beat us. Maybe it was the fan in me but I can't really put into words how bad I felt afterwards.

"You just want to lock yourself away because as manager you feel responsible.

"I'm praying Steve doesn't have to go through what I did."

Carver, however, fears the worst after Sunderland appointed Sam Allardyce who, like predecessors Paolo Di Canio, Gus Poyet and Dick Advocaat, comes up against Newcastle in only his second game in charge.

"My heart sank," he said. "Big Sam is the Premier League's No1 firefighter and his appointment is just what Sunderland needed.

 



Carver fears the worst now that Sunderland have appointed Sam Allardyce as manager



"I've never worked with him but I have huge respect for the man and his methods. He'll have Sunderland fired up and I'm sure there's a trick or two up his sleeve."

Carver was pessimistic about Newcastle's chances until the stunning 6-2 win over Norwich, which he believes has thrown the result into the melting pot.

"Before that, I made Sunderland clear favourites," he said. "They're at home, they've won the last five and then there's the Sam factor.

"But Newcastle have that first win under their belt. Not just that but they scored six goals so confidence will be higher than at any time this season.

"Of course, there will be a few players who still carry mental scars from all those derby defeats.

 

McClaren is hopeful that Aleksandar Mitrovic will continue his good form agains Sunderland

"But the likes of Mitrovic and Wijnaldum have no such worries. They're bang in form and will be looking to carry on where they left off against Norwich.

"It's a long time since Newcastle went into a derby on the back of a win and that could make all the difference.

"Mind you, whatever the result - and obviously I'm desperate for an away win - I still have a feeling that with Sam at the helm, Sunderland will stay up this season."

McClaren, meanwhile, predicts Allardyce will get another chance to land the England job he covets but should steer well clear of it.

"I'm sure the next time it comes up, he'll put himself forward," said McClaren who endured a turbulent 18 month spell in charge of the national squad. "But I don't think Sam is concentrating on that - and I certainly wouldn't recommend it.

 

"That's just a personal opinion but I respect him as a person and as a manager. He's a great club manager as he's proved wherever he's gone."

In 12 games as rival managers, McClaren and Allardyce have won four apiece with the former enjoying his best day in management when Middlesbrough beat Allardyce's Bolton in the 2004 Carling Cup final.

Tomorrow the pair square up as derby rivals with the Toon chief admitting he hasn't a clue how Sunderland will approach the derby.

"With Dick Advocaat, we'd have had more of an idea but as it's Sam and he's just in, we're really in the dark and won't know," he said.

"We're just concentrating on what we need to do."