The Hindu : Sport / Football : McClaren looks to fulfil UEFA Cup destiny

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Wednesday, May 10, 2006

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Sport - Football

McClaren looks to fulfil UEFA Cup destiny

THE FINAL HURDLE: Sevilla's coach Juande Ramos (left) will bank on his defence led by captain Javi Navarro to keep Middlesbrough at bay. — PHOTO: AP

EINDHOVEN: Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren is known to be a cautious man, but in the past few weeks, even he has allowed himself to muse on whether his side's progress to the UEFA Cup final might be their destiny.

Twenty years after the club went into administration, Middlesbrough has come from three goals down to win both the quarterfinal and the semifinal, and now, after being appointed to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson as England manager after the World Cup finals, McClaren is seeking the perfect finale to his five years on Teesside.

"We have enjoyed some marvellous occasions and Boro will always remain close to my heart. I'm so pleased I was able to deliver success to Middlesbrough because everyone deserves it. Hopefully we can top the lot on Wednesday night. That would be the perfect ending for me, and a wonderful platform to take the club forward into the future," he said.

Changes in fortune

Many of the key figures in the final could hardly have been expected to be in such a lofty position just a few months back. Halfway through the season, McClaren had a season ticket thrown at him by a fan annoyed at the club's slumping form.

His counterpart Juande Ramos was the new coach for Sevilla at the start of the season and had to do without two star players, midfielder Julio Baptista and defender Sergio Ramos, who both left for Real Madrid. Back then, fans would have been satisfied if the team finished above city rival Betis.

Yet, both coaches will walk out with their teams at the 36,500-capacity PSV Stadium late on Wednesday with tens of millions more watching the game across Europe.

The biggest star on the field will probably be Javier Saviola, the mercurial Argentine forward who has had his ups and downs in Spain, where he started at FC Barcelona. Finally, he is fulfilling some of his extraordinary promise.

Boro's stakes higher

Middlesbrough finished a mediocre 14th in the league and if it doesn't win on Wednesday, only McClaren will be able to claim the international spotlight next season.

Which is another reason why he wants to start his England job as a UEFA Cup winner. "It's been a long road to the final but there is no good getting there and losing," he added. — Agencies

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