McClaren resumes command at Twente

Steve McClaren has been reappointed as coach of FC Twente, the club he guided to its first Eredivisie title in 2010.

The 50-year-old, out of work since leaving Nottingham Forest FC in October, has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal to succeed Co Adriaanse, who was sacked on Tuesday.

"I am extremely happy with the warm welcome," said McClaren as he returned to his old stamping ground on Friday. "It was an easy decision. I have three main reasons for my return. The club is lead excellently by chairman Joop Munsterman. The club has a good vision, Twente is still growing. And last time I needed half a year to get used to the club and environment, while now that will go faster."

"Secondly. The team is perfectly fine and excellently balanced. With some experienced players like Sander Boschker, Wout Brama and Peter Wisgerhof there is also enough experience. And thirdly: The fans are great. The atmosphere in the stadium is unique."

The former England manager originally took charge of Twente ahead of the 2008/09 season when he replaced Fred Rutten. In his first campaign he steered the Tukkers to a runners-up finish behind AZ Alkmaar and into the final of the Dutch Cup, where they were beaten on penalties by sc Heerenveen.

Though he delivered the title the following season, McClaren left for VfL Wolfsburg that summer but was dismissed in February of last year. McClaren − who took Middlesbrough FC to the 2006 UEFA Cup final − will resume his quest for another Eredivisie title when the league resumes after the winter break on 21 January with Twente five points off the pace in third.

"One always runs a risk," said McClaren. "But we know each other very well and know exactly what direction we want to go. Twente are certainly competing for the title. We are one of the five teams battling for the championship. For now, I cannot wait to start working with the team during the training camp in Gran Canaria."

Twente face FC Steaua Bucureşti in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 with the first leg in Romania on 16 February before the return a week later.