Who said anything about "bigger"? My list comprises the top 2 teams last season from the PL, Bundesliga, Serie A & La Liga, as well as the champions of Holland and France. It seemed as good a definition of "top", which was the word McLaren used, as any other and, unlike "big", has the merit of...
I totally agree that Newcastle is, by any reasonable definition, a "big" club that is currently (and has pretty much for 4 decades) under performing. However, as others have observed, there's a big difference between top 8 in England and top 10 in Europe.
If Shteeeve had said "this is a club...
It's one part of the equation, for sure. Equally important, imo, is his knowledge of Newcastle and, especially, Ashley. In order for Newcastle to be in the top 10 in Europe they'd have to displace one of:
Barca
Real Madrid
Juve
Roma
PSG
Bayern Munich
Wolfsburg
PSV
Chelski
Man City
which of the...
Who, Schteve? Schirley not.
His knowledge of Europe is irrelevant though, isn't it? It's his knowledge of Newcastle and, particularly, Ashley that I question.