Premiership News News
Leeds wanted McClaren - Boro
Submitted By Tom
on Thursday 24th October 2002
It has been revealed that Leeds tried to get Steve McClaren as their new manager before finally settling on Terry Venables.
Following David O'Leary's sacking, the Yorkshire club were keen to hire the services of England assistant coach McClaren, whose team lie sixth in the Premiership after finishing safely in mid-table last season.
And Gibson today told BBC radio: 'I was pleased with the way Leeds conducted themselves. The chairman Peter Ridsdale conducted himself honestly and kept me informed.
'I have no problems with the conduct of Steve McClaren or Leeds during that time.
'I understand peoples' ambition. Sometimes such is that ambition they feel a need to move on.'
The Teessiders' chief Gibson is hopeful his reputation for supporting his staff will ensure their loyalty. He added: 'What we try to make sure is that the coaching staff and the players fall in love with us and don't want to move.'
Gibson believes the time McClaren spends with the national side is of benefit to his club as a whole.
He said: 'We have great benefits from Steve being with England. He sees the best overseas players and he sees the best English players.
'He sees the tactics employed and he will be the first to admit he learns from it and so does the football club.'
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