McFarland swaps Japan for Newcastle head coach role

Newcastle have been in need of a long-term head coach since the departure of Alex Dickens in March, with attack coach Stephen Jones promoted to lead the team until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Newcastle's signings for next season include the additions of internationals Hoskins Sotutu, George Turner and Raffi Quirke.

"The excellent work done on recruitment has meant that there will be lots of new talent arriving in the north east to join the team, and after a great experience out in Japan over the past couple of years I'm looking forward to getting stuck into this exciting new challenge," McFarland added.

The former Scotland assistant coach will front a coaching set-up with current caretaker boss Jones reverting back to an attack remit and Benetton head coach Calum MacRae return to the club to oversee defence.

"I'm delighted to be coming back to the club where it all started for me as a coach, and at the start of an exciting new chapter with Red Bull," said MacRae.

"The club's vision and ambition to compete at the top of the Prem and Europe is clear. I'm highly motivated to contribute to those objectives with a talented group of players and coaches.

"Having family in Newcastle and Teesside makes it even more special for me to be representing both them and the people of the north-east again."