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McLaren not interested in Leeds Posted: Sunday July 07, 2002 5:23 PMUpdated: Sunday July 07, 2002 6:27 PM LONDON (AP) -- Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren on Sunday ruled himself out of taking over at Leeds United. McClaren had been tipped to take over from David O'Leary, who was surprisingly sacked last month. Reports late Sunday suggested former England manager Terry Venables would instead take the job. "I'm currently trying to enjoy a short holiday with my family but have heard about all the speculation in the Sunday newspapers," McClaren said. "For the sake of the club's supporters, I want to make it clear that I have absolutely no intention of leaving Middlesbrough for any other club. "Further, I can say categorically and unequivocally that I have not spoken to Leeds United, neither have they made contact with Middlesbrough Football Club or myself, nor do I have any interest in speaking to them." McClaren, who was the assistant to England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson at the World Cup, said he had spent 10 days with Middlesbrough planning next season since his return from Japan. "Much of that work has been concentrated around bringing in new players that will help us build on the considerable progress we made last season," he said. "We have already broken the club's transfer record to sign Massimo Maccarone and have agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid with the aim of bringing Juninho back to Teesside. "Although I am on holiday now, we are still working on bringing in a couple more players in the near future. "We're building something special at Middlesbrough and I have no intention of walking away from what everyone at the club has been working hard to achieve over the last 12 months or so." Earlier Sunday, Leeds owner Peter Ridsdale denied newspaper reports McClaren would replace O'Leary. Meanwhile O'Leary, who was fired because he failed to win trophies and get Leeds into this season's Champions Cup, said he would like to return to Elland Road to prove his critics wrong. "I have some unfinished business at Leeds, and my dream is that I can go back to Elland Road as manager one day," he wrote in his column in the Sunday People. "If that sounds crazy, then people don't understand just how much Leeds meant -- and still means -- to me. I haven't said goodbye to the Leeds fans because I hope, under different circumstances, I'll come back." |
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