McClaren: Leaving Rangers was a wrench

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Steve McClaren says he was sad to leave QPR despite quickly accepting the opportunity to take over at Derby County.

McClaren, whose wife is from Derby, was confirmed as the Rams’ head coach on Monday, bringing an end to his brief spell at Loftus Road.

The former England boss, who joined Rangers’ coaching team on a short-term basis during the summer, succeeds Nigel Clough at Pride Park.

West London Sport revealed on Sunday that McClaren was set for talks with the East Midlands club.

McClaren, 52, has played a vital part in Rangers’ excellent start to their Championship campaign following the club’s relegation last season.

With manager Harry Redknapp having undergone knee surgery, he had a key role on the training pitch during the all-important pre-season period in which the R’s squad was revamped.

Redknapp, who continues to be hampered by the injury, had told McClaren he wanted him to stay until the end of the season and assess his future then.

“It was a wrench, actually, to leave Queens Park Rangers,” said McClaren.

“I had three great months there and Harry was fantastic to me. The staff and the players – it’s been a great experience.”

McClaren spent three years as a player at Derby and coached at the club before working as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United.

Since managing Middlesbrough and then England he has had spells in charge at FC Twente, Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest.

He explained: “I follow all my ex-clubs, but Derby, because I played and was assistant manager, was always one of them where you think at the back of your head ‘I’d love to manage that club one day’.

“The opportunity came – the phone call came on Saturday night – and I really had no hesitation.

“It’s a club that in the last few years has developed its academy – developed its young players – and has got a good team together.

“I’ve got a great opportunity to come back to Derby County and start something that we hope will be big.”

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