Following his departure from the England managerial position after the team’s inability to qualify for the 2008 European Championship, embarking on a career path abroad was likely the most astute decision Steve McClaren could have made.
If he had remained in England, the infamous “Wally with a Brolly” moniker would have constantly haunted him. Therefore, his transition to the Dutch club FC Twente provided him with an opportunity to begin anew.
McClaren assumed his position ahead of the 2008-09 season and guided the team to a second-place finish in the Eredivisie. He then improved upon this achievement 12 months later by securing Twente’s inaugural league title in the club’s history.
Bryan Ruiz on Steve McClaren’s impact
A crucial player under McClaren during that championship-winning season was Costa Rican forward Bryan Ruiz, who effectively filled the void left by the departure of attacking duo Eljero Elia and Marko Arnautovic.
“It was a real privilege to be part of that squad,” Ruiz shared with FourFourTwo. “That remains FC Twente’s first and only Eredivisie title.”
“Our home form was remarkable; we won 16 out of 17 games, with only one draw against PSV. We clinched the league title by a mere point ahead of Ajax, highlighting the intense competition.”
“It was a truly magical season. I managed to score a considerable number of goals and provide numerous assists. More importantly, the team displayed great unity, enabling us to outperform an Ajax team boasting stars such as Luis Suarez.”
Ruiz scored 24 Eredivisie goals that season, quickly justifying his €5 million transfer fee from KAA Gent and has fond memories of working with McClaren.
“Steve possessed excellent group management skills,” he added. “He had the ability to be firm and direct when needed, ensuring his message was clearly understood.”
“However, he generally adopted a lighthearted, approachable style, providing clear instructions. He possessed the knack for effectively communicating his ideas.”
Shortly after securing the title, McClaren departed the Dutch club to join VfL Wolfsburg, but his tenure was cut short before the season concluded. Meanwhile, Ruiz secured a move to the Premier League with Fulham during the summer 2011 transfer window and quickly gained popularity among the fans at Craven Cottage.
