Playing for 90
Fansided

30 Greatest Teams in Premier League History

By Benjamin Taylor

Who will lift this trophy in May and join these 30 teams among the greatest ever to compete in the English Premier League? (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Who will lift this trophy in May and join these 30 teams among the greatest ever to compete in the English Premier League? (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 31
Next

24. Middlesbrough, 2004-06

MIDDLESBROUGH, UNITED KINGDOM – DECEMBER 18: Yakubu (2nd left) celebrates the equalising goal during the Barclays Premiership match between Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur at the Riverside Stadium on December 18, 2005 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, UNITED KINGDOM – DECEMBER 18: Yakubu (2nd left) celebrates the equalising goal during the Barclays Premiership match between Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur at the Riverside Stadium on December 18, 2005 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /

Starting XI: M. Schwarzer (GK); S. Parnaby, G. Southgate, C. Riggott, F. Queudrue; B. Zenden, R. Parlour, G. Boateng, S. Downing; J. Hasselbaink/Yakubu, M. Viduka.

Steve McClaren’s final two seasons at Middlesbrough were certainly exciting.

Prior to the start of the 2004-05 season, McClaren secured several savvy transfers: Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink, Bolo Zenden, and Ray Parlour all joined on frees, while Mark Viduka was pinched from relegated Leeds for £4.5 million (a snip given his prolific goalscoring record). Hasselbaink’s goals then fired the club to a 7th place finish in the league and a UEFA Cup berth.

The following season, after adding the firepower of striker Yakubu, the team went on a magical run to the UEFA Cup final. Their route to the final included a tricky tie against Roma, and a memorable 4-1 win over Basel to overturn a 2-0 loss in the first leg. Despite being utterly outclassed by a strong Sevilla side in the final, McClaren should be given credit for propelling a modest group of players to Premier League security and European relevance.

Following the 2005-06 season, he would leave the club to manage England, a decision that would prove disastrous for all involved.

Next: No. 23

Home/Premier League