Steve McClaren: "Silverware is not handed out in December"

Eddy van der Ley
Tuesday 16 December 2008

The good state of trade at FC Twente is also the work of coach Steve McClaren.

With his clear, personal and realistic approach the former England manager has silenced the explosive criticism on his character.

With the winter break close ahead a shift can be detected in the Eredivisie between the top 3 and a chasing group.

Surprising newcomer in the tenuous regions of the table are FC Twente who are thoughtlessly stringing up victories.

After Heerenveen (6-0), ADO Den Haag (2-1) and Sparta Rotterdam (6-2) on Sunday FC Groningen had to bite the dust (4-1) for the unchained Tukkers.

In-between the club reached the third round of the UEFA Cup for the first time in 30 years by beating Schalke 04 in the group stages: 2-1.

On Thursday there is the final group game against Paris St. Germain, but nothing much will be at stake in the French capital.

However Twente could do their former coach Fred Rutten a favor by keeping the home team from a victory.

The man from the town of Overdinkel swapped FC Twente for Schalke 04 this summer and beside a well organized club he left behind a lot of question marks.

Would there be life after Rutten, the founder of their success?

Six months later there is only one possible answer to that question: a straightforward 'yes'.

Steve McClaren, cast aside in a scandalous way by the English press, proved a direct hit on every aspect, even when he started the job under an unlucky star.

Apart from the heavy burden of Rutten's heritage he - an Englishman - had to undergo a dramatic change of culture and at the same time try and compensate for the loss of key players like Karim El Ahmadi, Orlando Engelaar and Luke Wilkshire.

It cost some time, patience and aggravation, but after a period of inconsistency the pieces of the puzzle are coming together.

With three new signings (rightback Ronnie Stam, midfielder Theo Janssen and playmaker Kenneth Perez), a very strong Wout Brama and emerging super talents Marko Arnautovic and Eljiro Eliah as the core of the team McClaren seems to have found his ideal starting lineup.

The current way Twente play - a mix of matter of factness and cheerfulness - still has the Dutch verve in it.

McClaren, assisted by Erik ten Hag, dares to play with both Theo Janssen and Kenneth Perez in midfield, offensive players not full of defensive qualities.

It sometimes leads to conceding inexcusable goals, but in the end to more efficiency as well.

But to that you have to add the fact that players are willing to run through a wall for McClaren - 'every inch a gentleman'.

The Englishman is a 'people's manager', who beliefs in the power of an optimal team atmosphere.

His ego is not too big, he likes a good joke and leaves a lot of responsibility to his players.

Still at the moments when he thinks it is necessary he still puts himself above the group to cross the T's.

That approach has led to a resounding halfway balance.

FC Twente are a proud third in the Eredivisie and they are still active in Europe and in the domestic Cup.

Still, high tide or not, McClaren will not be - in accordance with his character - pulled along in euphoric reflections.

Ronnie Stam would not mention the word championship after the game against FC Groningen to 'not get into an argument with the coach'.

Even though he wasn't totally serious it says a lot about McClaren's sense of reality, deep down in the Dutch clay with both feet.

"Things are going well now, but silverware is not handed out in December," McClaren says.

"I still assume that PSV, Ajax and AZ will eventually be at the top. Where we will end? Not a clue. Fact is that still can and have to make progress. That is my challenge for the coming months."