• Eredivisie

McClaren parts ways with FC Twente

Steve McClaren has left Twente for the second time © PA Photos

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Steve McClaren has parted company with Dutch club FC Twente.

The former England boss has been under pressure from fans and media alike for some weeks after having gone six games without a win.

The drop in form has led to the side slipping down to fifth place in the Eredivisie, six points behind league leaders PSV Eindhoven.

Despite being given a vote of confidence by chairman Joop Munsterman on Monday, McClaren has decided it is in the club's best interests for him to step aside - although he insists he was on course to achieve his targets for the season.

"We've had criticism, protests and demonstrations from both supporters and media about the results and performances, especially in the last six games, which has been surprising given that the expectations of Twente has always been European qualification and that we should be in the top four," he told Sky Sports News.

"During the winter break we were joint-top and even four weeks ago, after the Feyenoord away game, we were second in the league. But the last six games have seen the pressure and intensity build up... we needed support and I felt that it was not forthcoming.

"The club is always bigger than any individual and I've looked at both sides of it and after a great deal of deliberation I think it's best to relieve the pressure from the team, relieve it from the club and from the board. The club can move on, the fans can get behind the team again and hopefully achieve what they should be achieving."

McClaren first joined Twente as manager in 2008, leading the club to their first-ever Eredivisie title in the 2009-2010 season. He parted ways with the side in 2010 to pursue challenges at Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest, before returning for his second stint in January 2012.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.