McClaren returns with Forest

Steve McLaren ... former England manager is now in charge of Nottingham Forest. Source: AFP

Former England manager Steve McClaren has been named as the new manager of Championship side Nottingham Forest.

McClaren, who returns to the game after being sacked by Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in February, succeeds Billy Davies, who paid the price for twice failing to take Forest back to the Barclays Premier League via the play-offs.

The 50-year-old McClaren has signed a three-year contract at the City Ground.

McClaren, recently linked with the vacancy at Aston Villa, returns to club management in England - having previously been with Middlesbrough - after time in Holland where he guided FC Twente to a league title, and then Wolfsburg.

McClaren's brief tenure as England manager ended when he was sacked a day after a 3-2 defeat by Croatia at Wembley in November 2007 scuppered the team's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008.

He then moved to the Netherlands, leading Twente to second place in the Dutch Eredivisie in 2009 before leading the unfashionable side to the title the following year.

He left to join Bundesliga team Wolfsburg but failed to match that success and was sacked by the German club four months ago.

McClaren made his coaching reputation as an assistant to Jim Smith at Derby before becoming Sir Alex Ferguson's deputy at Manchester United.

He then took charge of Middlesbrough in 2001 and three years later led them to League Cup glory and to the 2006 UEFA Cup final, where they lost to Seville.

Prior to Forest making public their approach, McClaren had ruled himself out of going to West Ham United, who since their relegation from the Premier League have appointed Sam Allardyce.

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Cantona returns to face Man U

The gaffer ... Eric Cantona will square off against Sir Alex Ferguson. Source: Roslan Rahman / AFP

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona will return to Old Trafford in August as New York Cosmos face the Red Devils in Paul Scholes' testimonial match, it was confirmed on Friday.

Cantona, regarded as the pivotal figure in United's early-to-mid-1990s dominance of English football, will act as manager of the Cosmos, the iconic New York team who are currently trying to win admittance to Major League Soccer.

Cantona said he was looking forward to returning to Manchester to honour Scholes, who retired from football soon after United's UEFA Champions League final defeat by Barcelona.

"I wish to congratulate Paul for such an incredible career at Manchester United and I am looking forward to returning to Old Trafford in my new role with the New York Cosmos," said Cantona.

Scholes, who is now set to embark on a coaching career at United, is preparing for an emotional farewell on August 5.

"This is going to be a big night for me and my family but one which I intend to enjoy and I will savour every moment," said Scholes.

"I have spent my whole footballing life at Manchester United, so this will be an emotional farewell.

"This club is special in many ways but the fans are the best and I have always appreciated their support throughout my career.

"I hope they enjoy the night, especially seeing the boss and Eric battling it out in front of the dug-outs."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, is relishing the prospect of seeing Cantona in the opposing dug-out.

"Neither of us will want to lose this one, it is sure to be a great night and a well deserved recognition for Paul," he said.

Brazilian superstar Pele is also expected to attend the match as honorary president of the Cosmos, the club he graced as a player in the now defunct North American Soccer League.

 

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