Arsene Wenger heaps praise on Newcastle boss for fleeing country after England nightmare

Arsene Wenger was full of praise for Steve McClaren

STEVE MCCLAREN was right to go abroad after his England nightmare, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

 

McLaren left the country after being sacked as boss of the national team, following their failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

A brief stint at FC Twente in Holland, where he led them to their first ever Eredivisie title, followed by a not-so-lucrative spell in Germany with Wolfsburg, rebuilt his reputation.

 

And Wenger was quick to praise his counterpart as they prepare to do battle at St James' Park on Saturday, while urging other English managers to do likewise.

"I would encourage more English coaches to go abroad because sometimes, especially when you have managed the national team, the best thing is to get out of the country for a while and then come back," he said. 

 

"I believe we had a good example with Bobby Robson who did that. I think it was a clever move and he has done well."

McClaren will have to draw on all of his experience to get one over on Wenger as his side have a terrible record against their Premier League rivals.

Newcastle have lost all of the last seven fixtures against the Gunners, conceding 20 goals.