Agent confirms former England coach McClaren is set to go Dutch - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Agent confirms former England coach McClaren is set to go Dutch

Steve McClaren's agent admitted that FC Twente is an option for the former England coach after speculation linked him with the manager's position at the Dutch club.

McClaren was in Holland to see the club qualify for the Champions League with a victory over Ajax in the Eredivisie play-offs at the Amsterdam ArenA on Sunday.

FC Twente coach Fred Rutten is set to leave club and take up the reins at German side Schalke in the summer and McClaren's agent, Colin Gordon of Key Sports Management, confirmed that a managerial spell in Holland is a possibility for his client.

"Steve is a top manager so he will be linked with any jobs which are vacant," Gordon said.

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"He was just over in Holland watching some football and obviously there is a lot of speculation flying about at the moment.

"I'm sure he'll be linked with the Getafe job as well now with their manager [Michael Laudrup] is set to leave and there are a couple of jobs in Denmark so no doubt his name will be linked with them as well."

When asked if McClaren was a serious contender for position with the Enschede outfit Gordon said he could be in the running.

"It's an option - they are a club in the Champions League and he has experience of managing at the top level," Gordon added.

"Taking a position abroad is certainly a possibility for Steve."

McClaren, 47, has been out of work since he left the England job in November following the failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

FC Twente though have played down speculation which linked McClaren with the post with departing Ajax coach Adrie Koster also believed to be in the frame.

An FC Twente spokesman said: "Steve McClaren was in the stadium because he wanted to watch a good game of football in Holland.

"We have not decided on a new coach yet. We have just qualified for the Champions League and it will be decided in time."

McClaren has spent part of his period out of the game analysing coaching methods abroad and also made a pledge to learn Spanish.

He spent time with PSV Eindhoven to gain an insight into Dutch football and also visited Barcelona and Espanyol to further his coaching education.

McClaren said last month that he was broadening his horizons and a role with a club in one of Europe's top leagues is something he would consider.

He said: "I spoke a lot to Sir Bobby Robson whilst I was England manager and it was very interesting talking about his career after England. He spoke about how he felt it benefited him by moving abroad, widening his horizons and continuing his education as a coach.

"That's one of the reasons why I have been visiting these countries and looking abroad and it is something that if an opportunity arose and it was the right opportunity and the right challenge then I would not rule that out."

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