Steve Harper is set to quit Newcastle, according to Chronicle reporter Lee Ryder.
The reliable journalist claimed via his personal Twitter account on Tuesday that Harper is due to leave his role as goalkeeper coach to “pursue other opportunities” away from the Tyneside club.
Breaking news: Steve Harper set to leave role as goalkeeper coach with #nufc . Harper will now pursue other opportunities. The former United keeper has played a big part in the U23s excellent season after helping guide them to two major finals.
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) May 14, 2019
The 44-year-old spent 20 years on the books at St James’ Park as a player before leaving in 2013.
He eventually returned to Newcastle in 2016 as a coach.
OPINION
It will be a great shame for Newcastle fans to see Harper leave because he has basically been a part of the furniture at St James’ Park since the first half of the 1990s. He never really played that much for the Magpies due to Shay Given holding down the number one spot for most of his time at the club but you will be hard pressed to find a second-choice goalkeeper as loved as Harper is by the Toon Army. Hopefully he can get himself back into work as soon as possible because he is a good goalkeeper coach and will be an absolute credit to whichever club he works for in the future. Newcastle will now have to find a replacement for Harper, which is going to be a bit annoying because they are still trying to figure out the future of first team manager Rafa Benitez. His contract expires soon and talks are supposed to be held between the Spaniard and the Magpies chiefs at some point this week.