Steve McClaren

Steve McClaren is a former English football player and a manager. McClaren spent most of his playing career in the lower leagues of English football. The longest spell for one team was a seven-year stay at Hull City, where he made 178 appearances and scored 16 goals. In 1985 McClaren joined Derby County, playing for the team till 1988. His career also included Bristol City and Oxford United.

In 1992 McClaren started coaching at the youth level in Oxford United, later promoting to assistant manager. In 1999 the Englishman was appointed as an assistant manager at Manchester United where he worked with Alex Ferguson. His first season at the position was marked by the team’s treble, when United claimed the Premier League title, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League. While working for United he became known as a forward-thinking coach that introduced modern coaching methods to the side.

The first experience as the head coach McClaren received in 2001 when he took the spot of Middlesbrough manager. Under his helm the team reached the semi-final of the FA Cup in the season 2001/2002, where they were defeated by Arsenal 1-0. Later the side clinched the League Cup 2003/2004 and reached the UEFA Cup final 2006.

On 4 May 2006 Steve was appointed as the manager of the national team of England, but did not enjoy much success at the post when England even failed to qualify to the Euro 2008.

On 20 June 2008 McClaren was confirmed as the new manager of Twente and during his tenure the team finished second in the season 2008/2009 and reached the final of the Dutch Cup where they lost on penalties to SC Heerenveen. But a year later the club was crowned the champions of the Eredivisie, winning the title for the first time in its history.

At the end of the season, McClaren left the Dutch side for two years only to return to the post in 2012. However, the second spell with the club was not a long one as the English manager resigned in February 2013 due to heavy pressure from the fans and officials unsatisfied with the club’s performance.

In September 2013 McClaren was offered to guide Derby County.