Steve McClaren has confirmed that Aston Villa did approach him over the vacant seat in the manager post. Former England coach McClaren was paraded at The City Ground on Thursday after signing a three-year deal to succeed Billy Davies, who was sacked after losing to Swansea City in the Championship play-offs.
McClaren was on a list of potential targets to succeed Gerard Houllier after he left Villa Park on health grounds – but it was claimed he was then ruled out of contention after an adverse reaction from fans.
He said: “There was an approach and an appointment set up that wasn’t fulfilled, but I can’t control that.
“You’d have to ask Aston Villa about the reasons. At the time it was a disappointment but I’ve had many disappointments in football. I quickly moved on.”