McClaren, Steve (1961– )

English footballer and football manager. Known for his tactical expertise and solid record, he became manager of the England national football team after the 2006 World Cup. A former midfielder for several lower league clubs, he was assistant manager of Manchester United 1999–2001 under Alex Ferguson and manager of Middlesbrough 2001–06.

Although known as a loyal senior coach under previous England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, a position McClaren held simultaneously while managing Middlesbrough, he asserted his independence by not including former England captain David Beckham in the first England squad he named, though he recalled Beckham into the squad the following year.

He was born in Fulford, in York, and attended Nunthorpe Grammar School for Boys (now Millthorpe School), where he took an early and keen interest in football, as well as squash, tennis, and rugby. He played for the North Yorkshire youths and joined the Hull City football club at the age of 16. A midfielder, he played for Hull City 1979–85, followed by stints at Derby County, Bristol City, and Oxford United. An injury ended his career as a player in 1990, but he stayed at Oxford United as a coach, then returned to Derby as assistant manager. He is credited with the tactical strategies that helped Manchester United win the Premiership, Champions League, and FA Cup, all in 1998. He took Middlesbrough to their first victory in a major competition, the Carling Cup (2004), two FA Cup finals (2002 and 2006), and a UEFA Cup final (2006). In 2008 he became manager of Dutch side FC Twente.