Sir Alex Ferguson plans to heal his rift with Brian McClair by offering the former Manchester United striker a coaching job.
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Brian McClair in his days at Blackburn Rovers
(RossKinnaird/Allsport) |
Ferguson needs a new coach following Steve McClaren's departure to Middlesbrough. The pair fell out shortly before McClair followed Brian Kidd to Blackburn Rovers in 1998.
They did not talk for months and the stand-off culminated in Ferguson snubbing the popular Scot when sending out invitations to his all-star testimonial match.
But tensions have cooled in recent months and McClair has been working for United on an informal basis. Ferguson hopes the 37-year-old will accept a one-year deal to operate alongside him in his final year.
Long-serving coach Jimmy Ryan is expected to succeed McClaren as assistant manager, leaving McClair to fill in as first-team coach. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer last night insisted manager Ottmar Hitzfeld would never be allowed to join United.
Hitzfeld is the prime overseas contender to be Ferguson's successor when he retires. But Beckenbauer said: 'They could possibly have our groundsman, but not our manager. We'll never allow Hitzfeld to leave.' United target Lilian Thuram is expected to join Juventus this week for £23.5million.
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