Former England boss Steve McClaren has been named as the
new manager of Dutch club FC Twente. The 47-year-old has signed a
two-year deal to replace Fred Rutten at the Grolsch Veste Stadium,
and one of his first tasks will be to lead the club into the third
Champions League qualifying round. He is expected to be unveiled at
a press conference next Tuesday.
McClaren has been out of work since leaving the England job last
November following their failure to qualify for the finals of Euro
2008. He was closely linked with the vacant post at Blackburn in
the wake of Mark Hughes' move to Manchester City, but after several
weeks of talks with Twente president Joop Munsterman, he has
decided to relaunch his career on the continent.
McClaren said: "I am delighted to accept the offer to become the
new manager of FC Twente. "From our first meetings, I have found Mr
Munsterman and his staff helpful and co-operative, and I cannot
wait to get started working with them.
"It is an exciting time for the club having been so successful
under Fred Rutten, and I cannot wait to meet my players and staff
and get things going. "It will be a huge challenge for me to work
in the Dutch league and in the Champions League with FC Twente, but
I am excited by the prospect and believe we are feeling positive
for the campaign ahead.