McClaren Fails Upward … Right Into the Champions League

Watch out, Eredivisie. There’s a new manager in town, and he’s not afraid to make waves. When people said no one played three at the back in international football anymore, he laughed and did it anyway. When everyone assumed England would cruise past minnows like Macedonia and Israel on their way to Euro 2008 qualification, he proved them all wrong.

The man I speak of is, of course, none other than Steve McClaren, and after a short hiatus, he is back in action as the new manager of FC Twente in Holland.

I’m sure there’s a joke here about how Holland has had a rough enough day already. But I won’t be the one to make it. Too soon.

McClaren’s new job seems like a good fit for him in a number of ways. First, he’s out of England. Rumors had him talking to Blackburn, but let’s face it – no fans of an English club were going to welcome with open arms the man that led the national side to its first no-show at a Euro in 24 years. Another nice thing about the Twente job is Champions League football. Since McClaren only managed to reach the UEFA Cup with Middlesbrough, he should be applauded for managing the rare feat of advancing his career through his own utter failure.

Anyway, good luck to the Umbrella Man on his return to the club game. Even though he crashed and burned so magnificently with England, it should not be forgotten that he did quite well with Boro, and maybe he’s the sort of coach that thrives on the day-to-day work of a club boss, rather than the occasional chaos of a national team job.

I have to assume, however, that there’s some kind of clause in his contract limiting his choice of formations. Because three at the back in free-scoring Holland? Yikes.

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Category: World Football