Steve McClaren named as one of Erik ten Hag’s assistants at Manchester United as new era dawns at Old Trafford

Steve McClaren will be Erik ten Hag’s assistant at Manchester United, the club have confirmed.

He will join Mitchell van der Gaag in the new United boss’s coaching staff ahead of the new season.

McClaren made his name in the game with a hugely successful spell as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant in which he helped the Red Devils to a historic treble in 1999.

In 2001 he left to become a full manager with Middlesbrough where he won the club’s first major trophy in the club’s 128-year history, before leading the side to the UEFA Cup final in 2006.

McClaren then spent two years as England manager, before finding success with Dutch side FC Twente where he won the Eredivisie title in his first full season in charge, with Ten Hag as his assistant.

Since then, the 61-year-old has spent time at Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Queens Park Rangers and Derby, but is now returning to Old Trafford for what fans hope will be an exciting new era under Ten Hag.

McClaren told the official Man United website: “I thought I worked hard until I met Erik.

“His great strength lies not only in his attention to detail and organization.

“He has a clear philosophy of how he wants to play football; the environment he wants to create.

While many will be excited about McClaren’s role in the new era at United, talkSPORT host Simon Jordan believes his appointment will be a big step up from their time together in the Netherlands.

“There may be a reason for his [McClaren’s] participation. You bring a Dutch coach to the football club, he is [McClaren] managed in Holland, understands the mentality, also understands Manchester United – once upon a time,” he said.

“This is not the Manchester United that Steve McClaren was lucky enough to be involved in, this is a different Manchester United.

“I don’t know what they are basing this current recruitment of Steve McClaren on – FC Twente is not Manchester United.”