On this day in 2008: Steve McClaren appointed manager of FC Twente

Former England boss Steve McClaren was appointed manager of Dutch club FC Twente, on this day in 2008.

The then 47-year-old signed a two-year deal to return to management for the first time since he left his role as England boss, following their failure to reach the 2008 European Championship.

On his arrival, McClaren said: “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.

“My message to the club’s fans, supporters I have heard so much about already, is a simple one: we will do everything in our power to take the club forward.”

McClaren kept to his word and steered the Dutch club to the Eredivisie title in 2010 after they finished runners-up to AZ Alkmaar in his first season in charge, but soon left to become manager at Wolfsburg and become the first Englishman to manage a German top-flight football club.

He was stood down from his role as England boss in November 2007 and was later replaced by Fabio Capello following a 3-2 Wembley defeat to Croatia which ended England’s hopes of qualifying for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

Following his time with Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga and a short stay at Nottingham Forest, he returned to Twente between January 2012 and February 2013 where he failed to reach the highs from his first stint and went on to spend a couple of spells with Derby as well as Newcastle and QPR.

McClaren returned to Old Trafford at the beginning of last season to become assistant manager to Erik ten Hag, helping Manchester United to their first trophy since 2017 as they won the Carabao Cup in February.