Soccer

Steve McClaren in the frame for surprise assistant role at Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant under consideration as Erik ten Hag’s number two

Steve McClaren could be part of prospective boss Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff. Photograph: Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images

Jamie Jackson
Wed Apr 6 2022 - 08:14

Steve McClaren is under consideration for a return to Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag’s number two should the Dutchman be appointed as Manchester United’s next permanent manager.

Ten Hag held talks with United last month. As the Ajax manager has never worked in the Premier League, the ideal candidate to be his assistant would have experience in the competition. McClaren worked in the role between 1999 and 2001 under Sir Alex Ferguson, with the club claiming the treble at the end of his first season there.

Should the appointments happen, it would mark a role reversal for the pair. The vastly experienced McClaren had Ten Hag as his assistant for the 2008-9 season when in charge of Twente. The 60-year-old took the Dutch club to second before claiming Twente’s inaugural league championship the following year.

McClaren, who managed England for 18 games in 16 months from 2006-2007, won the League Cup with Middlesbrough in 2004 and has been in charge of Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest, Derby County twice and Newcastle United. His last managerial position at Queens Park Rangers came to an end three years ago, when he was sacked with the club 17th in the Championship.

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Although United are still considering other candidates, including Paris Saint-Germain’s Mauricio Pochettino, it is understood that 52-year-old Ten Hag has particularly impressed the club with regard to taking over from Ralf Rangnick, the interim manager, in the close season.

The first match for whoever is appointed will be the friendly against Liverpool in Bangkok on July 12th. While the ticket prices range from around £115 to £455 and the latter cost is more than for this season’s Champions League final, both clubs receive only a fixed fee to participate. The match is thought to be close to a sellout.

- Guardian

Steve McclarenManchester United