It's not that long ago that Steve McClaren was the laughing stock of football. A man ridiculed by press and public alike. Everybody's favourite scapegoat.

I don't think there is an England fan in the world who will - or can - ever forget the ludicrous sight of McClaren standing beneath an umbrella watching as England's Euro 2008 qualification hopes washed away in front of him.

It's an image that is burnt into our retinas.

All England needed to do to secure passage to the finals was draw with Croatia at Wembley. In truth, it was a position they were fortunate to be in, thanks to some erratic qualifying. But, however they got there, they were just 90 simple minutes away from achieving their goal.

Bizarre team selection combined with questionable tactics and a fair smattering of misfortune meant Croatia walked away with a 3-2 win, and McClaren walked away with his tail between his legs.

After just 18 months in charge of the national team, McClaren was sacked, and it very much looked like the career of one of the most promising young managers in the game would fizzle out and die.

But McClaren has proved he is made of sterner stuff and finds himself on the brink of an absolutely remarkable turnaround in his personal fortunes.

Now manager of Dutch top-flight side FC Twente, he could, this afternoon, become the first English manager since the late great Sir Bobby Robson to win a title on foreign soil.

He has transformed the fortunes of his new club. In his first season in charge he took them to runners-up spot in the league and the cup, which they only lost on penalties.

This time round he looks like going one step further with his team a point clear at the top with two games to go. If FC Twente win this afternoon and nearest challengers Ajax don't, then the title will be theirs.

And do you know what? Despite the suffering he inadvertently put me through, I will be happy for him.

I am not going to pretend I wasn't one of those who wanted to fly to London and ram that umbrella down his throat back in November 2007. I was. Very much so.

His predecessor, Sven Goran Ericsson, used to annoy the pants off me (and secretaries too), but at least he did so while ensuring England at least qualified for the major tournaments.

But as much as he broke my heart, shattered my dreams and ruined my summer, everyone deserves a second chance. And McClaren has grabbed his second chance by the scruff of the neck and given it a damn good seeing too.

It's true that the Dutch league may not be one of the bigger European competitions. But for a foreigner to come in and prove such a huge success in such a short time takes something a bit special.

Essentially, it proves what many thought was the case five years ago, including the powers at the FA: McClaren is actually a rather good coach, although he sometimes hides it well.

Assuming he wins the title this year, what will his future hold? I would fully expect him to hang around in The Netherlands a while longer before maybe moving on to one of the bigger European leagues.

If he can then match his FC Twente success on a bigger stage it will be time for the Premier League to sit up and take notice of a man who once probably seemed unemployable in England.

Will he want to return is the big question? In an interview recently, he said he understood that England fans wouldn't forgive or forget but equally he wouldn't forgive or forget the way he had been treated personally.

"The England experience didn't quite kill me," he said, giving some insight into how his reign of failure affected him personally.

If nothing else, McClaren has shown a remarkable talent for bouncing back. If he can keep his current momentum going, then why shouldn't a return to the Premiership be a possibility one day in the future? And if that goes well, how about another crack at managing England?

As he trudged off the Wembley pitch with boos and abuse ringing in his ears, that must have seemed like an utter impossibility.

But time is a great healer and if, one day, McClaren seems like the best man for the job, I wouldn't mind seeing him given another chance.

For God's sake though, make sure he leaves his umbrella at home.

They think it's all over

After months of excitement, anticipation and more twists and turns than your average rollercoaster, it looks like the Premier League race is going to fizzle out in the most disappointing fashion.

Manchester United and Arsenal are stumbling and faltering at precisely the wrong moment, effectively handing the title to Chelsea on a plate.

To be fair, Ancelloti's side are doing their bit admirably. They seem to be alternating between scintillating victories and grinding out results. But both are equally effective when it comes to putting points on the board.

Up until a few weeks ago it looked like this might be a title race that went all the way to the wire. Now, barring any more surprise results, it could be all over with weeks to spare.

If those of us neutrals looking for a photo finish still want a glimmer of hope then there was always last night's trip to Spurs, which could have proved tough for Chelsea.

And then they do have to go to Anfield as well, which could also be tricky.

Then again, if Liverpool have nothing left to play for at that point, what are the chances of them putting up a fight that could ultimately give their greatest rivals a chance of the title?

Not massive, I would imagine.

Your say

"The British press kicked up a palaver (are you surprised?) about the perceived decline of the English Premier League and the premonition of the beginning of the end for Premier League teams in Europe's top club competition, the Champions League. And insofar as Manchester United are concerned (of whom I have been a fan for 55 years, that is, since I was 11), this has been another season of underachievement in Europe.

"As regards the overall performance of the teams in this year's competition, I consider it as just a minor blip as I am sure the top English teams will this year decide to drop their dross and review their squads, and will surely come back.

"I agree that the 'moment of madness' by the young and undisciplined Rafael Da Silva may have been the most glaring and defining moment contributing to United's defeat, but on closer examination one can detect far more fundamental mistakes that ultimately knocked out United.

"It all started in Munich where United's tendency to leak goals in vital moments was manifestly exposed. The tendency, or inability to defend a comfortable lead, continued in Manchester even before Rafael was sent off. And United's over-reliance on Wayne Rooney, even when he is 33 per cent fit, didn't help the cause.

"Well, as you say, United could have been six goals up by half-time, but by that same argument United could have been long dead and buried had Bayern Munich taken their chances in the 1999 final before United won it in added time.

"United also have structural problems in their squad (Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov), and need to get a classy midfielder (James Milner and/or Franck Ribery) and an effective striker (David Villa and/or Bobby Zamora).

"As for the 'typical Germans' rant by Alex Ferguson, let us not forget 'captain marvel' Roy Keane's 'diplomatic overtones' to referees to send opponents off. Keane was also guilty of much worse misdemeanours than tapping suspect ankles. He once infamously boasted about kicking a poor Norwegian not off the pitch but out of the game!

"So, let all United fans take it on the chin, lump it and move forward. Tomorrow (or next season) is another day." Oliver Vassallo, Rabat.

sportscolumnist@timesofmalta.com