Englishmen Abroad: Steve McManaman

In the four years that McManaman was in the Spanish capital, he grew in to arguably the most successful English player to ever play abroad. 

Having joined los blancos for free in the summer of 1999, McManaman won two Spanish League championships, two Champions Leagues and a whole host of other trophies including the European Super Cup and the World Club Cup.

Indeed, as if to underline McManaman's achievements in Madrid, his part in Real's eighth European Cup win in 2000 saw him become the first English player ever to win Europe's premier club competition with a foreign club.

In what would become a recurring theme for McManaman, at the start of the 1999/2000 season he found himself left out of the side as Real favoured Christian Karembeu or Jose Maria Gutirrez in Macca's midfield berth.

However, when given the chance, such as away to Athletic Bilbao where he scored a wonderful solo effort to secure a 2-2 draw, McManaman more often than not proved his worth to the side.

New coach Vicente del Bosque soon realised the potential of the 27-year-old Englishman and found a place in the team for him as the season headed towards it's climax.

Though Real's form in the Primera Liga was disappointing - they would finish in fifth place - the Champions League had been shown to be a competition that was far more suited to the various talents of the wonderfully gifted Real squad.

In a titanic quarter-final with 1999 champions Manchester United, Real won 3-2 in England to progress at the expense of Sir Alex Ferguson's side - McManaman's role in the centre of midfield where he lined up alongside Argentine Fernando Redondo being particularly effective.

After knocking out Bayern Munich in the semis, Real faced fellow-Spaniards Valencia in the Paris final. In the most memorable moment of his entire career, McManaman volleyed home a brilliant scissor-kick to give his side a two goal lead and some breathing space.

That second half saw one of the most accomplished displays of the Liverpool-born midfielder's career and for many he did enough to be considered as the Man of the Match.

Coming off such a high, Euro 2000 was a bitter pill to swallow for McManaman as England were knocked out at the Group stage. The Real man only played in England's opening match against Portugal where, after scoring with a well-placed half volley, he had to go off injured just short of the hour mark.

Having established himself as a player of true worth in his first year in Madrid, McManaman shone in his second - 2000/01 - as Real attempted to retain their European crown as well as challenge for the championship.

With new signing Luis Figo, Real reached the semi-finals of the Champions League where Bayern had their revenge, beating McManaman's team both home and away.

Real's two best chances of the first leg at the Bernabeu both fell for McManaman, but he couldn't beat Oliver Kahn, who played outstandingly well in the Germans' goal.

On the domestic front though, Real offset the embarrassment of being knocked out of the Copa del Rey in the first round by winning their first championship for four years.

Despite a strong challenge from Deportivo La Coruna, Real held on and won the title by seven points from the Galicians.

For McManaman, the season's highlight came in January in the League match at home to Real Oviedo. With Real 3-0 up and only five minutes to go, the Real no.8 scored the best goal of his Madrid career, jumping high into the air to volley Roberto Carlos' pacy cross straight into the top corner.

The 2001/02 season saw McManaman play more of a peripheral role at the Bernabeu, though by making 23 appearances he did feature in over half of Real's League matches.

Now boasting new world-record signing Zinedine Zidane in their ranks, Real won through to another Champions League final after beating fierce rivals Barcelona in the semis. In the Camp Nou first-leg, Zidane gave Real the lead before McManaman chipped Bonano in the Catalan net in the very last minute to seal the match and effectively end the tie as a contest.

At Hampden Park in the final, McManaman came on for a jaded Figo with half an hour to go and nearly scored another crucial European goal. However it was not to be, though Zidane's brilliant volley made sure Real won a ninth European crown.

Last season, McManaman saw himself play in fewer games than in any of his previous years in Madrid, appearing as he did just 15 times. However, a second Spanish championship was won after Real emerged on top of a fascinating three way tussle for the title with Real Sociedad and Deportivo.

After Beckham's signature, next season does not hold too much promise for a regular spot in the side for McManaman but nevertheless he has said that he wants to carry on playing in Spain.

Steve McManaman's England career

1994/95: Nigeria (sub), Uruguay(sub), Japan (sub)
1995/96: Colombia, Norway, Switzerland, Portugal (sub), Bulgaria, Croatia, China, Switzerland, Scotland, Holland, Spain, Germany
1996/97: Poland, Italy, Mexico
1997/98: Cameroon, Switzerland, Morocco, Colombia (sub)
1998/99: Poland, Hungary
1999/00: Luxembourg, Poland, Ukraine, Malta (sub), Portugal
2000/01: France, Finland (sub), Albania, Finland, Greece
2001/02: Germany (sub), Albania (sub), Greece (sub)
Total: 37 caps, 3 goals

Honours

1992 FA Cup (Liverpool)
1995 League Cup (Liverpool)
2000 European Cup (Real Madrid)
2001 Spanish League Championship (Real Madrid) 
2001 Spanish Super Cup (Real Madrid)
2002 European Cup (Real Madrid)
2002 European Super Cup (Real Madrid)
2002 World Club Cup (Real Madrid)
2003 Spanish League Championship (Real Madrid)