Notts County's ability to spring a surprise from the relative depths of the English football league system could continue with the acquisition of former national manager Steve McClaren.
Amidst all the retrospective column-inches dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo's mega-money switch to Real Madrid from Manchester United, was an equally gargantuan transfer in English football, that of Sol Campbell - a 2008 FA Cup winner - to lower league outfit Notts County.
The latter was even more audacious, considering the player's continued ability to perform at Premier League level (demonstrated by a string of top division admirers), especially as it followed hot on the heels of Sven Goran-Eriksson's announcement that he would occupy the position of Director of Football at the oldest league side in world football.
Scotsman Ian McParland is current boss of the Magpies, having taken the reins of the Nottinghamshire outfit in 2007, and even though he has guided the side to a ranking of sixth in League Two, County's indifferent away form (one draw and two losses) has ensured speculation over his future is persistent.
The Daily Mail have today intimated that Steve McClaren, currently enjoying a successful exile from England in the Netherlands with Eredivise side FC Twente following his abysmal tenure as Three Lions manager, could be set to make a return to the country as he is the 'big-name' manager that County's new ambitious owners desire.
McClaren, a maligned manager in his homeland, has resurrected his club career in Holland. As well as still being the last English manager to boss a club side in a major European final (Middlesbrough - 2006), he was also the highest-ranking Englishman in a top division last season as he helped Twente to a runners-up spot in the Dutch league.
Alan Dawson, Goal.com UK
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