McClaren sad to leave QPR

McClaren: Leaving Rangers was a wrench

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01/10/2013
By Adam Borysiuk
Steve McClaren says he was sad to leave QPR despite quickly accepting the opportunity to take over at Derby County.

McClaren, whose wife is from Derby, was confirmed as the Rams’ head coach on Monday, bringing an end to his brief spell at Loftus Road.

The former England boss, who joined Rangers’ coaching team on a short-term basis during the summer, succeeds Nigel Clough at Pride Park.

West London Sport revealed on Sunday that McClaren was set for talks with the East Midlands club.

McClaren, 52, has played a vital part in Rangers’ excellent start to their Championship campaign following the club’s relegation last season.

With manager Harry Redknapp having undergone knee surgery, he had a key role on the training pitch during the all-important pre-season period in which the R’s squad was revamped.

Redknapp, who continues to be hampered by the injury, had told McClaren he wanted him to stay until the end of the season and assess his future then.

“It was a wrench, actually, to leave Queens Park Rangers,” said McClaren.

“I had three great months there and Harry was fantastic to me. The staff and the players – it’s been a great experience.”

McClaren spent three years as a player at Derby and coached at the club before working as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United.

Since managing Middlesbrough and then England he has had spells in charge at FC Twente, Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest.

He explained: “I follow all my ex-clubs, but Derby, because I played and was assistant manager, was always one of them where you think at the back of your head ‘I’d love to manage that club one day’.

“The opportunity came – the phone call came on Saturday night – and I really had no hesitation.

“It’s a club that in the last few years has developed its academy – developed its young players – and has got a good team together.

“I’ve got a great opportunity to come back to Derby County and start something that we hope will be big.”
http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/mcclaren-leaving-rangers-was-a-wrench



Good luck to him, sounds like the perfect job for him. Big thanks for the work done, albeit brief, spell with us.

 

I hope we give him a warm reception when he comes with Derby, providing we beat them of course

 

Based on last night's result, he has a lot of work to do, with a limited budget.

But looks like his heart (prior Derby history) was a big deciding factor.

Good luck to him.

 

Good job letting him go to Derby, that's one more team that won't be challenging this year

 

Yea a bit like the foxes i expect

 

Great win for him today, 3-1 home to Leeds - perhaps his approach of viewing the game from the stands, with a birdseye view, benefited us too.

Former England manager McClaren chose to watch from the stand as the Rams continued where they left off on Tuesday, when they came from 4-1 down to draw 4-4, with a sparkling attacking display that secured a first home league win of the season.

Derby County manager Steve McClaren:

"For the character they have shown from Tuesday half-time onwards, the players deserve tremendous praise and credit.

"We do our work and prepare the team as best we can but the players have to perform and take responsibility and they did that in the second half on Tuesday and today.

"Staying upstairs gives me a better perspective on the game and I think that's important early when it's a new team. I'm trying to get a picture of this instead of seeing legs and bodies on the touchline and shouting when they can't hear me, or ignore me!

"I think it helps me make better decisions for the team. I think it was important to keep out the way and let the players do their job which is what they did.

"In the two games we have seen all our frailties and all our strengths, and there's a lot of work to do."

 

I was kinda hoping he might take over from Harry when HR got bored of us - I think he is an excellent manager....