Newcastle United new manager: Harry Redknapp denies approach to replace Steve McClaren

Harry Redknapp would be interested in replacing Steve McClaren at Newcastle United but says he has not been approached over the role at St James' Park. McClaren is widely expected to be sacked this week after his side lost 3-1 to AFC Bournemouth, leaving them a point from safety.

The club's board held talks over McClaren's future on 7 March but the former England coach remains at the helm in the north east, with 10 games remaining this season. Former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez, ex-Manchester United gaffer David Moyes and Brendan Rodgers – who left Liverpool last October – are among the bookmakers' favourites for the role.

Redknapp has not managed since leaving Queens Park Rangers in 2015 to undergo knee surgery. Newcastle have lost 16 of their last 28 games in the league and could be considering a temporarily appointment to help drag the club away from relegation trouble. However, they are yet to approach the former Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton boss.

"No, I've never spoken to anybody at Newcastle," Redknapp told TV3, according to The Chronicle. "Steve's still in a job. I like Steve McClaren. I've worked with Steve, he's an excellent coach, manager, whatever, but he needs a result quickly. But I've never spoken to them.

"I was getting on the plane today from Southampton, and everybody thought I was heading to Newcastle. I was heading to Dublin. If something came along that was interesting, I would. Most of the offers I'm getting at the moment are from far off places in the world where I don't feel like travelling to at the moment."

Suggestions that Newcastle were looking to replace McClaren swelled after the club's media partner, The Mirror, reported that the Magpies have approached Benitez over taking over for the rest of the campaign. The Spanish boss has great affection for the Premier League and is eager to get back into management after being sacked by Real Madrid in January.