Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Mike Ashley is set to leave the Newcastle board after Steve McClaren is appointed as the new manager.

Toon are undergoing a major summer overhaul and part of the forward planning is for a boardroom reshuffle.

Two new directors will be put in place when Ashley steps aside – but the Newcastle owner will NOT relinquish any power.

Geordie fans want him out of the club but owner Ashley intends to remain in the background and push ahead with a spending spree that will see over £60million invested in new signings.

Newcastle are now financially self-sufficient, which Ashley views as a huge achievement.

(Image: Jamie McDonald)

And when McClaren becomes the new boss this week he will immediately enter talks with director Lee Charnley and chief scout Graham Carr over transfer targets.

Charnley has spent the past week closing in on the appointment of ex-England manager McClaren, and the 54-year-old - sacked by Championship side Derby last month after they missed out on the playoffs - will return from holiday to take over the hot-seat.

Part of discussions in their transfer meetings will be to sign talent that can help restore the club’s identity – with relegated QPR’s £10million-rated England forward Charlie Austin expected to remain as one of the men they will set sights on.

Newcastle want two new strikers for next season as they bid to ensure they do not repeat a disastrous season which almost led to relegation.

In pictures - Newcastle win season-finale to dodge relegation: