The Dutchman was heavily linked to Newcastle United in 2015 – only for Steve McClaren to send them on a downward spiral that resulted in their relegation.
While Steve McClaren remains revered on Riverside for guiding Middlesbrough to their first ever major trophy and a European Cup final, it’s fair to say he’s not viewed in the same light on the banks of the Tyne.
A simply disastrous season at Newcastle means Magpies fans no longer refer to him as ‘the wally with a brolly’. Instead, simply, he’s the man that set them on their way to relegation and inspired one of the most depressing seasons ever endured at St James’ Park. Though you wonder whether things would have been different if their top target had not turned his attentions elsewhere, the Daily Mail reports.
A year and a half before McClaren signed on the dotted line, The Telegraph reported that Newcastle were stepping up their interest in Ajax coach Frank De Boer after the Dutch legend announced he was leaving the club after inspiring them to an unprecedented four consecutive Eredivisie titles, adding to the five he lifted as a player.
“Newcastle are a sleeping giant, with a great stadium and most loyal fans,” De Boer said in quotes reported by The Telegraph, doing little to quell the speculation.
Yet, the rest, as they say, is history.
While Alan Pardew resigned, John Carver toiled and McClaren eventually dragged Newcastle kicking and screaming towards the second tier with even Rafael Benitez unable to rescue an untenable situation, De Boer missed out on the league title to PSV before embarking on a horrific 85 day spell with Inter Milan.
The Dutchman may have been powerless to prevent Newcastle’s slide but perhaps the players would have swapped their flip-flops for football boots with a bonafide European legend on the sidelines.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
