Friday 8 August 2014 16:41, UK
New FC Twente manager Alfred Schreuder is looking replicate the success achieved during Steve McClaren’s tenure at the club.
Schreuder, who was McClaren’s assistant during the former England coach's spell in charge, was appointed manager this summer and insists the now Derby manager put the Enschede side on the footballing map.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Schreuder explained the influence McClaren had on proceedings at Twente.
He said: “Everybody learnt so much from Steve here in Holland. He got I think the winning mentality in Twente because it was never achieved what he did.
“I was there when I was his assistant and we were very lucky that I was here to work with him because you could see that he came from Man United and that it was all about winning.”
Twente, who finished eight points off champions Ajax last season, were the only side to remain unbeaten at home in the Eredivisie last term and Schreuder believes if this form can carry into this year’s campaign then nothing can prevent the team from to scaling the heights seen under McClaren.
“It’s always our ambition to be champions and I think that’s what you should do every game, play to win.
“Everything is possible but it’s difficult. I think you’ve got to look at it game to game and that’s what we try to get in the youngsters' heads - you play to win and that’s what we want to see.”
Twente will be without their top scorer from last season after Dusan Tadic was snapped up by Southampton in a £10million move to St Mary’s in July.
However, Twente moved quickly to replace the Serbian by bringing in striker Kasper Kusk from Aalborg, before a potential move to the Premier League materialised, and Schreuder is expecting big things of his new signing as they kick off the season against Cambuur Leeuwarden on Saturday.
“I expect a lot Kusk. We bought him after Dusan left. He can play on the right and he can play number ten,” he said.
“He has to develop in strength and power but he needs games at a higher level and I think he made the right step coming to us.
“We can expect assists and goals from him and then he will be prepared, hopefully, in a few years to make another step again."
Schreuder went on to explain that he accepts that players in Dutch football may be poached by bigger clubs in the Premier League.
“Yeah that is normal in football in Holland, we know that’s how we are. We don’t bother, we don’t care, it’s okay for us.”
You can watch FC Twente in Eredivisie action live from August 12 on Sky Sports 5HD - Your New Home of European Football.
