The Magpies yesterday cleared the decks ahead of McClaren’s arrival by sacking John Carver and Steve Stone.
McClaren wanted his own men around him, and it was one of the stipulations of him taking the charge at St James’s Park.
Names in the frame include Paul Simpson, McClaren’s No 2 at Derby and is still contracted to the Rams, and Eric Steele.
Fitness coach Steve Black, who worked with McClaren while he was head coach at QPR, could also have a role in the new structure.
Dave Billows, who was fitness coach at Newcastle, is also understood to have left the club.
Interestingly, Lee Clark’s name has also been mentioned with the No 2 role.
The former Magpies midfielder quit his job as manager at Blackpool and is understood to have applied for the vacant head coach position at St James’s.
Chief scout Graham Carr - integral in the appointment of McClaren - is believed to be pushing for Clark to be brought back to the club.