Keith Downie says there is a 'wall of silence' regarding Steve McClaren's future Keith Downie says there is a 'wall of silence' regarding Steve McClaren's future

Newcastle's directors held talks on Monday without their manager and fellow board member Steve McClaren.

The Magpies were beaten at home by fellow relegation strugglers Bournemouth on Saturday, leaving them in the Premier League's bottom three with nine games remaining.

McClaren is a member of the Newcastle board and it is Sky Sports News HQ's understanding that talks took place at board level without the manager present.

It is also SSNHQ's information that McClaren took no part in the discussions held by fellow directors Graham Carr, the chief scout, club ambassador Bob Moncur and managing director Lee Charnley.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley resigned from the board in June of last year - his advisor Keith Bishop attended the Bournemouth game but then travelled back to London and is not in the north-east.

Both McClaren and his players had a scheduled rest day on Monday, with their next game not until March 14 against Leicester on Monday Night Football.

McClaren insisted after the weekend's defeat that he would not walk away from the job, despite a dismal run of just two Premier League victories in 12 matches.

McClaren says he will not walk away from Newcastle McClaren says he will not walk away from Newcastle

The 54-year-old, who was lambasted by supporters, said: "No way will I quit. That's for other people to decide. I don't do that.

"I have enough experience. I have been through this, I have had chants like there have been today quite a few times and that's the perils of being a manager, and especially of this team, this season.

Newcastle fans vented their anger at Steve McClaren on Saturday

"I have had it before, it's not pleasant and I don't like it, I am as frustrated and angry as the crowd with the performance but we can't say that's it, we have to fight and solve it.

"I fully believe that what myself and the staff are doing is right. We need to perform better and do our jobs better. We have a lot of players injured and a makeshift back four. We are not having the best of luck but you make your luck by working harder."