The former Derby County and Newcastle United manager has been linked with the vacant managerial post at Middlesbrough.
Former Derby manager Steve McClaren
After parting ways with Spaniard Aitor Karanka, the man who got the club promoted to the Premier League last season, Middlesbrough are now on the hunt for a new manager.
With a string of important games coming up after the international break, Middlesbrough Chairman Steve Gibson has taken the tough call to replace the former Real Madrid coach, with some fans wondering whether the sacking has perhaps come too late.
One manager who has been liked with the role is former Newcastle United and Derby County manager, Steve McClaren, who has been named as a contender for the role by The Mirror.
McClaren, who managed Middlesbrough between 2001-2006, guided Boro to a UEFA Cup final and won the League Cup during his time at the Riverside, and is still revered among supporters and among the Middlesbrough hierarchy.
After being let go by Derby County for a second time recently, a return for McClaren until the end of the season might not be totally off of the cards. So what might Boro fans expect from a Steve McClaren side that has taken in several adventures since he last managed at the Riverside? Here’s three things they might want to be aware of…
1. The 4-3-3
Former Derby manager Steve McClaren
His favoured formation during both his spells with Derby County, McClaren would likely implement a 4-3-3 formation at Middlesbrough, utilising goalscoring wingers and the use of a target man. With Boro having two decent ones, in Alvaro Negredo and Rudy Gestede, this system could fit the side perfectly, and has been something that Aitor Karanka has dabbled in on occasions this season. However, the 4-3-3 would leave Boro open at the back, though there are a number of holding midfielders they could choose to strengthen the middle of the park.
2. Plan B? What Plan B?
Former Derby manager Steve McClaren
If things go wrong in a game, Boro fans, then that’s it. You’re in trouble. Steve McClaren has absolutely no concept of a Plan B, often setting his teams up to play one way and one way only. This has been the case during both his spells with the Rams and also with Newcastle United. Once figured out, Steve McClaren’s side can be very easy to exploit indeed, and this has led to the manager suffering many long winless runs at most of his previous clubs. Not the thing you need in a relegation battle, right?
3. Nice football…but effective?
Former Derby County manager Steve McClaren
If there’s one thing you often see from Steve McClaren’s sides, it’s nice football. During both spells at Derby County, the Rams were playing some of the best, free-flowing football that supporters have seen over the last few years; his first spell supplying the Rams with some of the most exciting watching in a decade. At Newcastle too, at times the Toon were playing some lovely passing stuff. Everyone in a Steve McClaren side has a role, and plays to that role, and when it works it really works. However, too many times have opposition found McClaren’s tactics just too easy to work out, and if this happened quickly this season, Middlesbrough could find themselves plummeting down the table even quicker than under Karanka.
Former Derby County manager Steve McClaren
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