Newcastle fans will not be happy with the news that these are the only two remaining management candidates

Remember May of 2003 when Newcastle United finished in the top three of the Premier League for the second successive season?

Well those days are well and truly gone, with no sign of returning any time soon. The Magpies are currently sat 14th in the league and on a losing skid of six consecutive games under current interim manager John Carver. And under Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, brighter times are far from the horizon. So the last thing that the enduring St James' Park faithful will want to hear is that Carver is among the two frontrunners for the permanent job, along with Derby manager Steve McLaren. According to the Evening Chronicle,

"John Carver and former England manager Steve McClaren are the only realistic contenders for the job at this moment in time. Carver requires a convincing finish to the season in the last five games while McClaren is also in contention for the post – regardless of how Derby County’s season pans out."

Many were hoping for Ashley to bite the bullet and employ a manager who could claw them out of mid-table obscurity, which would be a welcome change in circumstances as they currently stand, but it seems very much like it's mediocrity for the Magpies for the foreseeable future.