McClaren bows out with UEFA Cup final swansong

LONDON, May 8 (Reuters) Newly-appointed England manager Steve McClaren hopes to leave Middlesbrough on a high when his side take on Spain's Sevilla in the UEFA Cup final in Eindhoven on Wednesday.

McClaren, announced last week as Sven-Goran Eriksson's successor after the World Cup finals, takes charge of Middlesbrough for the final time in the biggest match in the provincial English club's 130-year history.

''We have enjoyed some marvellous occasions and Boro will always remain close to my heart,'' said McClaren, who tasted a European triumph in 1999 when he was assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

''I'm so pleased I was able to deliver success to Middlesbrough because everyone, especially the fans, deserves it.

''Every effort will be made to ensure we end my time as Boro manager with some glory. That would be the perfect ending for me, and a wonderful platform to take the club forward into the future.'' Both sides, outsiders at the start of the tournament, are in their first European final. Sevilla, destined for a top-six finish again in the Primera Liga in their centenary season, last won a trophy in 1948 while Boro's only major prize came two years ago when they lifted the League Cup.

Boro's path to the final in only their second season of European competition has been spectacular. Twice they produced four-goal comebacks at their Riverside stadium when they seemed dead and buried.

Forgotten Italian striker Massimo Maccarone wrote himself into Boro folklore when he scored last-minute goals in the quarter-final win over Basel and semi-final victory over Steaua Bucharest.

Despite his heroics, Maccarone will find himself on the bench again although Boro have injury doubts about Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

The Dutchman has been in prolific form, scoring 14 goals since the turn of the year, but is trying to shrug off a hamstring injury picked up in the second leg against Steaua.

McClaren will hope Hasselbaink can shake off the knock as Nigerian striker Yakubu has been without a goal for more than two months.

Hasselbaink, out of contract at the end of the season, has revelled in Boro's cup exploits.

''Maybe you have to be a little mad to play for this Middlesbrough side. You have to believe the impossible is possible.

If you believe in miracles, a game is never lost,'' he said.

REUTERS PG RK0850