McClean’s move driven by desire for ‘a clean slate’
Speaking after the Irish squad trained in Newport yesterday, McClean said: “It was coming for a while. I know it’s been said that Sunderland got rid of me, that they wanted to sell me, but that’s not actually the case.
“Last season, as soon as we got safe, I went in to see the manager, sat down and told him I wanted to leave and the reasons why. And, fair play to him, he understood and they didn’t stand in my way.
“I just needed to play regular football and I felt it was time for a fresh start and a clean slate. He [Di Canio] was understanding. We had a good chat and he tried to persuade me to stay, which was obviously nice to hear, but for me it was time to move on. And the club then tried to help me get a move as well, fair play to them.”
In line to start for Ireland against Wales tomorrow night, McClean admitted his international prospects also featured prominently in his change of clubs.
“Of course, that’s important as well. It’s a World Cup year and we have a good chance of getting to the finals. But even beyond that, I need to be playing regular football no matter what. So I’m delighted with the move and looking forward to getting back to enjoying my football.
“Last year I lost a lot of confidence and wasn’t enjoying my football. I think it’s well-publicised everything that happened.
“So I wanted a fresh start and, having met the Wigan manager [Owen Coyle] the fact that he put across just how much he wanted me was a major factor in me going there.”
Were there other offers? “A couple. One from the Premier League which I’ll not name” – both Stoke and Hull have previously been linked with the player — “a few from the Championship and there was one north of the border [Celtic] that was well-publicised. We spoke to all the clubs but speaking to Owen Coyle, like I said, was a major factor in me going there.”
Coyle has praised McClean for taking a pay-cut in moving from Sunderland to Wigan but the player himself plays down the monetary aspect.
“It’s not about the money,” he said. “You’re in it for the love of the game. I know it’s a cliché but it’s true. Wigan is a club looking forward. I know they got relegated last season but the manager has assembled a good squad and there’s Europe after the FA Cup win. It was the right move at this stage in my career. Obviously, from the Premier League to the Championship is a step down but I don’t see it that way. It’s maybe a step down in leagues but two steps forward in my career. And hopefully we can get back at the first time of asking.”
He also hopes that his Irish colleague James McCarthy stays around for the challenge but suggests it’s “his business” if he takes up any offer to leave Wigan.
Meanwhile, McClean said he felt the benefits of his first outing for his new club despite being on the losing side in Sunday’s Community Shield showpiece against Manchester United at Wembley.
“It was good to get some playing time under my belt,” he said. “I’d done a full pre-season with Sunderland but you can do all the running you want and it doesn’t compare with the sharpness you get from game time. So it was a nice way to start off with Wigan.
“Last season was not the best in my career, I’ll admit that. But I know my own ability and I know that if I’m left to enjoy my football I can get back to where I was in the first season — and even better than that.”
As a bonus to his move, he’s delighted that Derry City will benefit to the tune of a reported €250,000.
“I think it’s important,” said the ex-Brandywell man. “It’s great to see them get some money. They’re a great club and they’ve done a lot for my career. It’s nice to, in a way, pay them back. Can they win the league this year? It’s going to be tough. The surprise package are Dundalk. [Former Derry boss] Stephen Kenny has done a great job. It would be nice to see Derry win but, if not, then Dundalk for Stephen because he’s a great man.”
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