IN the last 25 years, who is the only English boss to have won a major trophy and led his side to a European final?

If you live on Teesside, you could probably hazard a guess. But in the rest of the country, Steve McClaren’s achievements with Middlesbrough tend to be overlooked in the rush to castigate the North Yorkshireman as the ‘wally with the brolly’. Get it wrong with England, and whatever else you do in your career, you will be tarred with a patriotic brush.

McClaren’s name simply does not feature whenever the best managerial achievements of the Premier League era are discussed, yet by leading Boro to success in the Carling Cup final and a UEFA Cup final appearance against Sevilla, the 57-year-old arguably scaled greater heights than any of the bosses who have led the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea to league titles.

Boro were the archetypal ‘small town in Europe’, yet under McClaren’s control, they conquered the continent before eventually succumbing in Eindhoven.

This afternoon, McClaren will lock horns with Boro again, in his role as QPR boss, yet while he will be politely applauded from the away end at Loftus Road, the reception will hardly be rapturous.

Yes, there were grumblings about the style of football his side played. Yes, there is frustration that his rushed exit to take charge of England contributed to the decline that saw Boro relegated a couple of years on. But more than a decade later, isn’t it time for McClaren’s immense contribution to Middlesbrough’s history to be recognised much more fervently than is currently the case?

“I just think people forget quickly whatever you do,” said current Boro boss Tony Pulis. “Whatever you achieve, it’s washed away. Football moves from day to day, week to week, month to month.

“Steve has been an England manager, he’s managed and coached at a really top level. It’s not just everything he did here at Middlesbrough, people also forget he was working with Fergie (Sir Alex Ferguson) for so many years as well. He’s got a lot of things to be very proud of.”

Those magical European nights at the Riverside are at the top of the list, with the whole of the country having been captivated by the unforgettable comeback wins over Basle and Steaua Bucharest.

Pulis was coming towards the end of his time in charge of Plymouth while McClaren was leading Boro to European success, and found himself glued to the Teessiders’ remarkable run to Eindhoven.

“I remember watching those games really well,” he said. “Being a football man, it’s great to watch teams like that Boro team or Leicester.

“The other clubs have everything, so you expect them to do stuff, it’s the clubs who haven’t got everything you look at and think, ‘That’s some achievement’.

“You don’t have to tell Steve. Steve will think what he did was pretty special, the players who were here, they’ll know it was pretty special too. They’ll have great memories, that’s what it’s all about, and the supporters will have great memories as well.”

McClaren now leads a QPR side that have improved markedly since losing their opening four league games.

“They’ve improved their team, and their results have improved from what was a real poor start for Steve,” said Pulis. “I think (Tomer) Hemed from Brighton and (Nakhi) Wells, the two loan signings, have been good signings for them. They look a lot more solid now.”