By BEN GROUNDS FOR MAILONLINE

Steve McClaren has escaped to sunnier climes on a jet ski with his wife
Former Newcastle manager took a splash in the Caribbean while on holiday
McClaren is out of work again after his stay on Tyneside came to an end
54-year-old will hope for calmer waters upon return to club management

Steve McClaren looked like a man enjoying a much-needed break from the spotlight after the former Newcastle United manager was pictured with his wife Kathryn on the beach in the Caribbean.

McClaren was sacked after just nine months in charge at St James’ Park last week, and the 54-year-old wasted little time in getting away from the chill of unemployment following his acrimonious departure.

The former England manager acted with great dignity in the final few days of his time with the Premier League club, as the Newcastle board lined up his replacement Rafa Benitez.

But having experienced highs and lows during his managerial career, McClaren was in the mood to make the most of his time in warmer climate now that the Magpies’ bid to stave off Premier League relegation is no longer his problem.

A stoney-faced McClaren was pictured leaving Newcastle’s Darsley Park training ground the day before his exit was confirmed, but he looked far more relaxed as he wore sunglasses and a cap back-to-front before jumping on a jet ski with his other half.

The former England manager saw his chances of qualifying for Euro 2008 go down the drain as he watched Croatia land the final blow to his reign with a 3-2 win at Wembley in November 2007.

There were no umbrellas on show as he was cast as a lame duck following Newcastle’s 3-1 home defeat by Bournemouth on 5 March, but the former Middlesbrough manager barely made a ripple on his return to the North-East.

McClaren faces the prospect of returning to club management outside of the English top-flight, a rocky road that may take him back to the Championship or to a less fashionable European club.

While he looked bedraggled towards the end of his reign on Tyneside, McClaren already looked refreshed and had more colour in his face having agreed a compensation package with his former employers.
Despite looking doomed for weeks, McClaren insisted he remained confident of keeping Newcastle in the Premier League right up to the moment of his sacking, in a statement issued by the League Managers Association shortly after his dismissal.

‘I am obviously very disappointed with the decision. I appreciate any frustrations relating to the team’s results and the club subsequently finding itself in a battle to avoid relegation.

‘I remain confident, however, that we would have stayed in the Premier League with a view to building for next season.

‘Whilst there has been a lot of intense speculation surrounding my position over recent days, my sole priority has been to maintain my professionalism and carry on with my work to best prepare the team.

McCLAREN’S NEWCASTLE RECORD
Matches played in all competitions: 31
Wins: 7
Draws: 6
Defeats: 18
Goals for: 32
Goals against: 56
Premier League position: 19th
Points: 24
Biggest win: 6-2 Norwich City
Biggest defeat: 6-1 Manchester City

‘I would like to place on record what a privilege it has been to manage Newcastle United Football Club. It is a great club – the embodiment of the city, with incredible supporters.

‘I’d also like to thank Mike Ashley and the Board for giving me the opportunity to manage the club, and the staff and players for their loyalty and efforts.

‘For every supporter of Newcastle United, I genuinely hope the club can produce the results I believe they are capable of, between now and the end of the season, to maintain their Premier League status.

‘Newcastle United is a club that must build for the long term to deliver what the supporters deserve – success and silverware.’

IMAGES:
Former Newcastle manager Steve McClaren enjoyed catching some rays with wife Kathryn in the Caribbean
The 54-year-old was happy to enjoy time away from the spotlight after his departure from St James’ Park
McClaren looked in control as he took the front seat of the jet ski during the couple’s retreat to the Caribbean
The former England manager enjoyed a breaststroke on his own as he pondered his next managerial move
McClaren had been treading water for some time at Newcastle as he was eventually put out of his misery
The former Middlesbrough boss heads back to the sand after enjoying a dip away from the limelight
McClaren will hope his next experience in club management far less strenuous than his time on Tyneside
McClaren takes of his life jacket after negotiating the calm waters of the Caribbean alongside his wife
McClaren had a bumpy ride during his time at Newcastle but he was more than happy to take the waves
The former Derby boss looked laid back in a pair of shades and a baseball cap worn back-to-front on Thursday
The sunny escape is a far cry from the gloomy end to his time as manager of Newcastle earlier this month
McClaren receives a pat on the back from security guard Graeme Crombie as he leaves the training ground

For more on this story go to: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3496858/You-think-need-holiday-Sacked-Newcastle-boss-Steve-McClaren-jets-Caribbean-catch-rays.html#ixzz43Aydb1Zb