Football News: McClaren will probably never live down the brolly reference

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Personally I feel sorry for Steve McClaren, it really doesn't matter what he does, he is forever going to be known as 'the wally with the brolly' from his time as England's head coach. I am not sure why people were so offended by him sheltering under an umbrella when it was raining, but it seems it is something that will always be held against him.

Even if he wins the Championship with Derby County this season, he still is not going to live that down, though he does seem to have learnt a lesson from the experience. Now he avoids the rain by sitting up in the stands under cover during matches.

McClaren has been fairly successful as a coach and manager, though never really been able to truly raise himself up to the ranks of the elite coaches. An innovator, with a keen interest in finding new ways to improve his team's performance, particularly through the use of stats, Steve is probably best remembered for his attempt to speak English like an inarticulate Dutchman. It might even overshadow the brolly references!

To finally get past all these sniggers behind the hand at his expense, he needs automatic promotion, a decent campaign with the avoidance of relegation and build from there over a lengthy period. Personally I think he will never be able to raise himself up amongst the elite, simply because he lacks the tactical expertise to do so.

Written by Tris Burke January 21 2015 14:21:50