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Ex-England Manager Steve McClaren Enjoying Twente Success
Steve McClaren has taken the Eredivisie by storm with Twente but has highlighted the effect of everyone involved in the club but himself...
| Bet: | Returns: | De Graafschap £80.00 | Draw £48.00 | FC Twente £13.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | De Graafschap £70.00 | Draw £45.00 | FC Twente £13.60 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | De Graafschap £85.00 | Draw £47.50 | FC Twente £13.60 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | De Graafschap £75.50 | Draw £42.00 | FC Twente £13.70 |
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Mar 2, 2009 2:44:29 PM
The image of 'the wally and the brolly' is one that is sure to stay with two generations of England fans until their grave and will arguably haunt former national manager Steve McClaren, too.
After being relieved of his managerial duties with the Three Lions the former 'Boro boss escaped the highly-pressurised environment of England to coach a side in the Netherlands.
Twente's chances of qualification into the Champions League were scuppered at the final hurdle when Arsenal rained down on the Eredivisie club's parade, however, their UEFA Cup campaign was admirable; they were only ousted by Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille due to a penalty inefficiency.
Twente are also second-placed in the Eredivisie, nine points behind league leaders AZ. McClaren has over-hauled little during his tenure at Twente but he has instead combined youth and experience to great effect, all the time keeping faith with the infrastructure that was currently in place.
Speaking out over his eyebrow-raising run abroad, he explained to NRC Handelsblad that his choice to boss on foreign soil was not made on a whim. "I'm not in rehab,” he smiled.
"It's not for nothing that hundreds of Dutch coaches work abroad and only a handful of English ones do.”
He went on to pay tribute to the influence of charismatic chairman Joop Munsterman. "Joop's enthusiasm was infectious,” the Englishman said. “He's the most important reason I'm here."
Sir Bobby Robson was a key figure in nudging McClaren toward the lure of Holland, and allegedly said, "Go on your own, son. You'll love it."
McClaren, though, continued, "The reason the club has been so successful these last couple of years is … the people that have been working here for years, the board and the technical staff.
"I was surprised by how good FC Twente's organisation is. The team was described as playing the best football in the Eredivisie last year. They were already very ambitious. All I could do was not get in the way.
"Managing a team is like holding a pigeon in your hand. If you squeeze too hard, you kill it. If you loosen too much, it flies off.
"FC Twente isn't a step back, it's a challenge, and I want to look ahead to next season,” McClaren added. “Who knows what's possible if it doesn't take us 10 matches to hit our stride."
Should Twente continue their current form then there is every chance they will secure Champions League football - in the qualification stages at least - for the second year running. In addition, they are also on course for a quarter-final in the domestic cup.
Steve McClaren, despite the sneers from unforgiving English fans, is the highest-ranked English coach in a European league. He is also the last English coach to guide a club side to a European final.
Alan Dawson, Goal.com
After being relieved of his managerial duties with the Three Lions the former 'Boro boss escaped the highly-pressurised environment of England to coach a side in the Netherlands.
Twente's chances of qualification into the Champions League were scuppered at the final hurdle when Arsenal rained down on the Eredivisie club's parade, however, their UEFA Cup campaign was admirable; they were only ousted by Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille due to a penalty inefficiency.
Twente are also second-placed in the Eredivisie, nine points behind league leaders AZ. McClaren has over-hauled little during his tenure at Twente but he has instead combined youth and experience to great effect, all the time keeping faith with the infrastructure that was currently in place.
Speaking out over his eyebrow-raising run abroad, he explained to NRC Handelsblad that his choice to boss on foreign soil was not made on a whim. "I'm not in rehab,” he smiled.
"It's not for nothing that hundreds of Dutch coaches work abroad and only a handful of English ones do.”
He went on to pay tribute to the influence of charismatic chairman Joop Munsterman. "Joop's enthusiasm was infectious,” the Englishman said. “He's the most important reason I'm here."
Sir Bobby Robson was a key figure in nudging McClaren toward the lure of Holland, and allegedly said, "Go on your own, son. You'll love it."
McClaren, though, continued, "The reason the club has been so successful these last couple of years is … the people that have been working here for years, the board and the technical staff.
"I was surprised by how good FC Twente's organisation is. The team was described as playing the best football in the Eredivisie last year. They were already very ambitious. All I could do was not get in the way.
"Managing a team is like holding a pigeon in your hand. If you squeeze too hard, you kill it. If you loosen too much, it flies off.
"FC Twente isn't a step back, it's a challenge, and I want to look ahead to next season,” McClaren added. “Who knows what's possible if it doesn't take us 10 matches to hit our stride."
Should Twente continue their current form then there is every chance they will secure Champions League football - in the qualification stages at least - for the second year running. In addition, they are also on course for a quarter-final in the domestic cup.
Steve McClaren, despite the sneers from unforgiving English fans, is the highest-ranked English coach in a European league. He is also the last English coach to guide a club side to a European final.
Alan Dawson, Goal.com
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