Mac TA brings in former England manager McClaren

“It’s a pleasure to start working with Jordi at his new role as coach at Maccabi from his previous one as sports director,” said McClaren.

By ALLON SINAI
Former England national team manager Steve McClaren joined Maccabi Tel Aviv as a coaching consultant yesterday, (photo credit: DANNY MARON)
Former England national team manager Steve McClaren joined Maccabi Tel Aviv as a coaching consultant yesterday,
(photo credit: DANNY MARON)
A day after suffering its heaviest defeat in Premier League action in more than two years, Maccabi Tel Aviv made one of the most intriguing signings of the summer on Monday, hiring former England national team manager Steve McClaren as a coaching consultant.
The 56-year-old, who managed England during its failed Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, will team up once more with coach Jordi Cruyff who was a player under the Englishman during their time at Manchester United when McClaren was Alex Ferguson’s assistant between 1999-2001.
It is unclear exactly what McClaren’s new role includes, but he took an active part in Monday’s training session alongside Cruyff after taking notes during Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Beitar Jerusalem in Netanya.
“It’s a pleasure to start working with Jordi at his new role as coach at Maccabi from his previous one as sports director,” said McClaren.
“I have known him since the time we spent together at Manchester United and we have been in touch over the past couple of years. I have huge respect for such a well known club both in Israel and in Europe and I intend to help Jordi and the players achieve success for the fans this season.”
Maccabi’s owner Mitch Goldhar, told the clubs’ official website: “Steve McClaren has a wealth of knowledge and is vastly experienced at the highest levels of European football.
We are delighted to add a person of his caliber to our staff on a coaching consultant role.”
Prior to the England job, McClaren won the League Cup with Middlesbrough in 2004 before also reaching the UEFA Cup final.
McClaren achieved little success in recent seasons in spells with VFL Wolfsburg of Germany, Nottingham Forest, FC Twente in the Netherlands and two stints with Derby County, which sandwiched an unhappy nine-month stay at Newcastle.
On Monday, the new-look Maccabi Haifa opened yet another season in dejecting fashion, losing 2-0 to Bnei Yehuda in Petah Tikva. The Greens once more revamped their squad in the off-season, hoping to become a factor in the title race after being overtaken by Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Beersheba over recent years.
Substitute Matan Hozez, who came on in the 65th minute, scored two excellent goals on the break for Bnei Yehuda, finding the back of the net in the 74th minute and in the second minute of stoppage time.
Haifa squandered a golden opportunity to level the score in the 88th minute, with Gili Vermouth’s poor penalty being collected easily by goalkeeper Emilijus Zubas.
Yossi Abuksis’ Bnei Yehuda built on its impressive 1-0 win over Zenit St. Petersburg in Europa League qualifying, while Haifa will hope to rebound when it hosts champion Hapoel Beersheba next week Former England national team manager Steve McClaren joined Maccabi Tel Aviv as a coaching consultant yesterday, a day after watching the yellowand- blue suffer a 3-0 defeat to Beitar Jerusalem in its Premier League opener. (Danny Maron)