McClaren Takes Dutch Route on Robson's Advice

Steve McClaren's rehabilitation began yesterday when he signed a two-year deal to manage the Dutch club FC Twente on the advice of Sir Bobby Robson, a former England manager who reinvented himself in the Eredivisie. "I've kept in touch with Sir Bobby ever since my Middlesbrough days," McClaren said of the man who had two successful spells at PSV in the 90s. "He said, 'Go there, it will be a very good experience.' He told me, 'Go on your own, learn the culture, learn a bit of the language and enjoy the football, because you will'."

McClaren watched Twente play Ajax in the play-offs four weeks ago when a 0-0 draw earned them a place in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. "For football reasons I would have joined the next day," he said yesterday. "But my family is settled in [England]. It was important that when I come here it was not just for me but also for my family."

McClaren, sacked by England seven months ago after failing to qualify for Euro 2008, also denied suggestions that the delay was because of interest from Blackburn. "Four weeks ago that was not a possibility," he said. "Yes, last week there was some interest, but I had to make a decision and that was to come here. We had one or two things to sort out and we haven't sorted them out yet, but I wanted to join so much we will sort them, no problem."

One of his first tasks may be to plug the gap in midfield left by the Holland international Orlando Engelaar, who is expected to join Schalke. "Orlando only wants to come to us," said Schalke's general manager, Andreas Müller. "That is our trump card. I am certain he is coming to us."

McClaren's failure with England has not gone unnoticed by Twente fans, some of whom have voiced concerns, but the president, Joop Munsterman, said it was his club record which earned him the job. "That is more important than the national team because the national team is something else, especially in England."