Lee Lends A Hand

By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter

There was a familar face at Newcastle United's training centre on Friday morning: former player Lee Clark.

He was invited to the Magpies' Benton base by manager Alan Pardew and coaches John Carver and Steve Stone after his surprise sacking by Huddersfield Town last month, so that he could watch the way they prepare for games.

Ironically, Clark was assistant manager of United's next opponents, Norwich City, before he took up the role of manager at the Galpharm Stadium, where he stayed for three years before his departure with the team fourth in League One.

Carver explained that it was only a flying visit from the Wallsend-born 39-year-old, who had two spells as a player with Newcastle and also started his coaching career on Tyneside under Glenn Roeder.

"I know what it's like when you're out of work," Carver told nufc.co.uk.

"Sometimes you're forgotten about, so it was myself, the manager and Steve who invited him in because it's a lonely place out there when you're out of work.

"Myself and Steve go back a long way with him, having worked with him when he was a player, and I actually almost started working with him when he was manager of Huddersfield.

"It's great that he's coming in here and this is what managers and coaches do when they lose their jobs. It's important to spend a little bit of time going out to watch other clubs working, because you're always learning, you're always trying to improve things for the next job that you get.

"We've had him in the video room showing him how we prepare for games, he's watched training this morning and he'll be coming in tomorrow to watch some of our preparation for the game on Sunday against Norwich.

"It might be six months, six years down the line when I'm out of work and I need to go and pay a visit. He could be manager of another club and he'll reciprocate that offer.

"He's a character. He's a great lad and we've just been talking about some of the stories in the past that I can't repeat!

"He's a jovial guy and it's not good what happened to him. It's a bit unfair what happened if I'm being honest but he's big enough to deal with it and take it on his shoulders, and I'm sure he'll be stronger and better for it."

But Assistant Manager Carver emphasised that it was not a permanent new role for Clark, who is looking to get back into management in the near future.

"This is what managers and coaches do when they're out of work," said Carver. "It's the norm. I know that he's going over to FC Twente and Manchester United soon.

"That's what we do. It's important to keep our finger on the pulse."

Coming tomorrow - nufcTV's Big Match Preview will feature an exclusive, in-depth interview with Lee Clark where he talks about his time with Newcastle and Norwich and his quest to return to football management