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Steve McClaren leaves FC Twente after disappointing second spell

FC Twente manager Steve McClaren on the sidelines during the Eredivisie match against AZ Alkmaar
Image: FC Twente manager Steve McClaren on the sidelines during the Eredivisie match against AZ Alkmaar

FC Twente manager Steve McClaren has left his position at the helm of the Eredivisie club, insisting he did not feel supported in the role.

Criticism

"We've had adversary action; we've had criticism, protests and demonstration from supporters and media about the results and performances, in particular about the last six games, which has been surprising taking in that the expectations of FC Twente have always been European qualification and finishing in the top four," he said. "In the winter break we were joint-top and even four weeks ago, after the Feyenoord away game, we were second in the league." Twente also slumped out of the UEFA Europa League under McClaren at the group stages after finishing bottom of Group L with only four points. A departure from Twente is a latest setback for the 51-year-old, who had previously spent just four months at Nottingham Forest in an ill-fated spell in 2011. Prior to his time at Forest, McClaren also endured a rocky seven-month reign as manager of Bundesliga club Wolfsburg. The former Middlesbrough boss, who won the 2004 League Cup and reached the 2006 UEFA Cup final, was sacked as England manager in 2007 after the embarrassing failure to qualify for Euro 2008. Twente chairman Joop Munsterman revealed the decision to leave the club rested with McClaren and he was disappointed to see the Englishman leave. Munsterman said in a statement on the club's official website: "We believe that the disappointing performance of FC Twente under Steve McClaren could be reversed. "Steve has however indicated that it is in the interest of everyone to leave the club immediately. "We understand his decision and respect it. It is disappointing to say goodbye to the trainer under whose leadership FC Twente won the league title in 2010." Munsterman also confirmed the team will be led by trainer Alfred Schreuder and assisted by the technical team of Boudewijn Pahlplatz and Youri Mulder.

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