He has established one of the meanest defences in the Premiership and built on that to add dynamic, exciting forward players.

Remind you of anyone?

The time spent under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United has clearly left a lasting impression on McClaren, who became the first English manager in eight years to win a major trophy when Boro beat Bolton in the Carling Cup Final in February.

Clearly, McClaren has enormous respect for the way Ferguson changed United from top to bottom. But he is also confident enough these days to be his own man.

"I saw Alex before our game at Old Trafford and he had some advice. But he didn’t have any after the match when we had beaten them," smiles McClaren.

"I have been fortunate to have experienced big games, both at club level with Manchester United and now Middlesbrough and with England.

"It’s all about taking opportunities when they arise. It’s what Alex used to say before big matches and what I say to our players."

Winning individual matches is a different matter from building a club from top to bottom. By leading Boro to the first major trophy in their history, McClaren is already the most successful manager in their history. But he is developing for the long term, like Fergie did at United.

"This is not an overnight success. We have been building for nearly three seasons at Middlesbrough – and we are beginning to see the fruits of our hard work," he says.

"We are proud of our Academy at Boro and the quality of recruits we have been able to bring through to the senior ranks.

"We believe in treating youngsters the right way and their progress is a terrific advertisement for us."

England is benefiting as well with lads like Stuart Parnaby, Stewart Downing and Andrew Davies getting into David Platt’s England Under-21 set-up.

The Boro youngsters narrowly lost last year’s FA Youth Cup final to Manchester United but are back in the final this time and confident of going one better.

The first-team picture is also healthy. Boro have lost just seven of their last 32 matches and their renowned defence is providing the foundations for international stars like Juninho, Bolo Zenden, Gaizka Mendieta and Massimo Maccarone to show what they can do.

"We enjoy having a mean, defensive reputation," says the Boro manager. "Any successful performance begins at the back. Gareth Southgate has great leadership qualities and he is a rock alongside Ugo Ehiogu. But whenever they are missing we have had great cover in the likes of Chris Riggott and Colin Cooper."

At the other end, the goals are starting to flow as well. "The players are enjoying their football. And I’m enjoying watching them."

The progress of McClaren is important for the profile of English managers in general.

With the likes of Alan Curbishley, Steve Bruce and Sam Allardyce as well, this is a healthy period for young English managers.

"There has been talk of foreign coaches and English managers not coming through. But I think they are coming through. Having two English managers leading their teams out in a cup final was great for our game.

"The very top clubs have very experienced managers like Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Robson and Arsene Wenger.

"Now there is a crop of English coaches all under 50, some nearer 40, and they are gaining that experience.

"I think it is a tremendous situation and it shows what we can do when a chairman gives us a chance, like Steve Gibson has done for me at Boro."