Ex-Man Utd coach made historical past at Twente however cringe ‘Dutch’ accent unforgettable
It’s going to be an emotional night on Wednesday evening – and not just for Erik ten Hag.
Tuning in from a far will be former England boss Steve McClaren, who has a soft spot for both sides. McClaren was part of the Manchester United coaching staff last season, working under the Dutchman, but he left when the Caribbean came calling over the summer.
However, it was in the Netherlands where McClaren experienced the glory days of his career, coming shortly after he was sacked as England boss.
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The Wally with the Brolly had the Keys to the Kingdom in Enschede – as he led them to the glory land, their sole Eredivisie title in 2010.
“Winning the Carling Cup with Middlesbrough was special but this is pretty much right up at the top of anything I’ve ever done. To win a championship in a foreign country with foreign coaches, I think it’s made me stronger,” McClaren gushed as he watched his side lift the title.
(Image: Getty Images)
Upon winning the Eredivisie, McClaren became the first Englishman to manage a team to a top-level domestic league title since Bobby Robson with Porto in 1996 (Robson also won the Dutch title with PSV in 1991 and 1992).
Robson had in fact been a major influence in McClaren’s decision to go to the Netherlands, he admitted: “The relationship I had with Bobby was very special. He was a good friend and was of big influence on my decision to join Twente.
“I’d like to think that he’ll be watching from a cloud up above and wishes us the best as we play the last game in the league against NAC.”
(Image: YouTube)
He was a hero in Enschede, and yet on these shores, he will only be remembered for one moment.
Shortly after being appointed as Twente’s new head coach, McClaren left everyone stunned by suddenly adopting a dodgy Dutch accent in a press conference. McClaren repeated the trick on more than one occasion despite being ridiculed by the British press.
