Former Sunderland manager Jack Ross takes on interim academy role at his former side's arch-rivals Newcastle, as he returns to football following a disastrous spell as Dundee manager that lasted just seven games

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Jack Ross has been made head of coach development in the Newcastle academy set-up.

It comes after the 46-year-old, who made his name as a player and coach in Scottish football, managed the Magpies' arch-rivals Newcastle from 2018-19, taking them to the league one play-off final.

Newcastle's academy director, Steve Harper said of the appointment: 'Jack is a very experienced manager, coach and coach educator.

'His knowledge and experience will be of huge benefit to us during his time here.' 

While Ross has impressed when managing the likes of Sunderland, St Mirren and Hibernian, his most recent role at Dundee was less successful.

Jack Ross has joined the Newcastle academy as head of coach development after previously managing Sunderland

The former Hartlepool defender joined the club in June 2022 and got off to an excellent start with a 1-0 Europa Conference League win over AZ Alkmaar in just his second competitive game in charge.

Things quickly went downhill, though, as the second leg was lost 7-0 and Ross was sacked at the end of August following a 9-0 loss to Celtic.

Dundee had picked up just one point in five league games under him, a period that saw them score twice but concede 18 goals. 

The Magpies will be hoping for better things from Ross in his new role, although they will be more concerned with the first team's tense end to the season.

Eddie Howe's side currently sit fifth in the Premier League, but can leapfrog Manchester United into third place with a win against them on Sunday.   

Speaking on overcoming the financial disparity between the two clubs ahead of the clash, Howe said: 'I think you can buck the trend, of course you can, it's possible. It's not easy to do. 

Eddie Howe's side are currently just outside the Champions League places with 12 games to play

They will have a chance to leapfrog Manchester United into third on Sunday

'I go back to my early coaching experiences and we were always trying to buck the trend. We were going against teams with far superior budgets to us for years and years.

'When you say how: team spirit, togetherness, implementing a plan, hopefully everyone's on the same page and working harder than everyone else. That's the simple blueprint that I've always tried to use.

'When you get to the elite level, as we are, it gets harder and harder. But believe in the squad we have and we'll give everything to try to do that.'

 Securing Champions League football next season could be vital as Newcastle hope to attract big names signing to St James' Park over the summer.