Newcastle Target Steve McClaren "Would Have Been Manchester United Manager" If He Hadn't Taken England Job

Steve McClaren will become Newcastle United's permanent head coach this week - but a former member of his backroom staff is adamant he would have been Manchester United manager had he not accepted the England job. Malcolm Crosby, who was the reserve-team manager at Middlesbrough during McClaren's tenure at The Riverside, was unveiled as the new Gateshead boss this week but he took time out to praise his good friend. The former Sunderland boss is adamant that had McClaren rejected the opportunity to become Three Lions boss in 2006, he would have been manager of either Man United or their bitter rivals Manchester City by now.

McClaren won the League Cup with Middlesbrough - the first major trophy in their history - and guided the club to the UEFA Cup final during a five-year spell in which he was heavily backed by chairman Steve Gibson. Having been Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at Old Trafford for two years previously before heading to the Boro, Crosby believes McClaren was perfectly poised to become Red Devils boss one day - had he not had his reputation scarred by the England job.

Speaking to the Daily Mail on Monday, Crosby said of the 54-year-old:

"When the offer of England came (to McClaren), the first thing I said to him was: 'Are you crackers?' But you may never get asked again, so of course you have to take it. I just think it came at a bad time.

"Middlesbrough was his first manager's role after being assistant at Man United and he'd done a brilliant job.

"He had one of the best chairmen (Gibson) you will ever get to work under and it was just unfortunate that the biggest job in the country came up.

"If he had not taken that he would have ended up managing a Man United or Man City by now.

"So I think people have missed the boat with him, they really have because he is a good manager. That can be Newcastle€™s gain.

"I certainly think he will do a very good job. He is one of the best coaches I have worked with because he organises teams well and gets the best out of players."

CLICK HERE to read 16 Things Newcastle United Fans Need To Know About Steve McClaren.

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