Newcastle boss Steve McClaren is looking forward to meeting up with “perfect genleman” Slaven Bilic on Monday evening
McClaren’s last competitive clash with the Irons boss came when England were eliminated from the European Championships in November 2007.
He was ridiculed in the press with an unflattering picture as his spell in charge of the national side was nearing an end.
Asked if that 3-2 reverse to Croatia game had changed him, McClaren said: “I hope so, otherwise I would be in trouble. But yes, I think most definitely.
“I think we all do, otherwise we have just wasted nearly 10 years of experience doing nothing and not improving, so hopefully, I think so.
“He has as well. He has good experience now. It’s difficult coming from a player, the national team and then club, and I think he’s done very well.
“But as I say, I have met him. He’s a perfect gentleman and the passion that he shows for his teams, his football, he’s taken that to West Ham and is making them a very good team.”
McClaren is reported on Sky Sports as saying: “I know a lot of Croatian players, I have had them, and he is typically Croatian a gentleman, passionate about his football and creating wherever he goes very good teams.”
Probably all said with a Geordie accent,assuming of course he has got the Dutch accent out of his system now 😉
McClaren gets right under my skin.Dont know why,he just really bugs me.The Wally With The Brolly is a perfect name for him.Well a polite name anyway.There are plenty more i would like to call him.
Living off his time with Ferguson when he was just a trainer,never managed a single good season in proper football,had a great squad of players at England and messed that up,
Can’t believe a great old club like Newcastle and the fans got stuck with him,but after BFS it’s probably a blessing,
Slav has good manners but a cutting edge as Alfitano has found out,
….and I dub McLaren “A perfect idiot”…Can’t wait to hear his latest creation: The Geordie accent a la McLaren! You can see it, can’t you? One day he’ll be a wow on the ‘After dinner speech’ circuit with his laugth a minute compendium of different accent party tricks. He will become a legend on the scene; Barak Obama to speak? Nah…”We want Steve, we want Steve” will be the universal clamour. CEOs will quake in their boots; Headlines such as “Barlays staff in revolt as McLaren not selected for after dinner speech”…”McLaren seeks out Corbyn for style advice” …. Of course I hope I am not eating my words come Monday 10pm!