McClaren dismisses Ajax talk

Steve McClaren has played down speculation linking him with Ajax and insisted he will remain at FC Twente next season.

The former England manager has made a big impression in his first season in Holland, guiding Twente to second place in the Eredivisie and the final of the KNVB Beker, where they lost to Heerenveen on penalties yesterday.

Reports emerged last week claiming McClaren was on the shortlist to replace Marco van Basten, who resigned as Ajax coach earlier this month.

But the 48-year-old told AD Sportwereld: “I have not heard a thing from Ajax and I do not have the intention to leave FC Twente.

“It’s pure speculation, just like the story that my assistant Erik ten Hag was going to PSV. It’s the intention that we all stay in Enschede and try to have an even better season next season.

“I know that we have many players with a lot of potential, so we might see players go. It was not for nothing that several top European clubs were in the stands during the cup final.

“We will see how that will develop.”