It's a whole new ball game at The Riverside for Boro's Beswick

Sports psychologist Bill Beswick, who has worked with England and Manchester United, is the man Steve McClaren has chosen as his managerial foil at the Riverside.

Beswick confessed: "My last appearance in a football context was at Green End Junior School in 1961, where I think I scored twice before going to a rugby playing grammar school.''

But new Boro boss McClaren insists that the little-known Beswick is one of the most important signings he will make.

The others are first-team coach Steve Harrison, second-team coach Steve Round and goalkeeping specialist Paul Barron.

McClaren unveiled all four yesterday and declared: "I think I've assembled one of the best coaching teams in the Premier League.

"I've worked with Bill for seven years and I've brought him here because he can help in major areas.

"I've seen managers get embroiled in things away from the training pitch - comercial activities, telephone calls, planning and administration.

"But Bill will take that pressure off me and allow me to play to my strengths, which are working with players on the field and coaching.

"Bill is one of the top psychologists in any sport - he's worked with individuals and teams. I believe the mental side of the game is becoming more important, and Bill has proved where I've worked with Derby, Manchester United and England, that he can improve performance.

"He'll work at every level, from the acacdemy to the first team, as he's done at Manchester United, and he'll even coach the coaches.

"There won't be enough hours in the day for Bill to sleep - he'll be that busy working!

"I suppose he must be the first sports psychologist to be appointed as an assistant manager in football.''

Beswick said: "As players gain confidence in me - and stop running at the sight of a psychologist coming down the corridor - they'll begin to enjoy dialogue with me.

"I'm not into what you would call pop psychology. I'm more into shaping attitudes and improving performance.''

A more familiar face in McClaren's backroom staff is former Aston Villa No 2 Harrison, who worked with England under Graham Taylor.

McClaren said: "I went around asking different players, not managers, and unanimously the players came up with Harry, as we know him, as being the best coach they've worked with.

"He's a player's coach - that's the culture I'm trying to bring here, that we're a player-orientated club - and he's great with the players.''

Former QPR, Crystal Palace and West Brom keeper Paul Barron is another Villa recruit.

McClaren explained: "Paul is one of the top goalkeeping coaches in the country and he's proved that working with England and the FA.

"I wanted a top goalkeeping coach because I believe that, in Mark Schwarzer, we have one of the best keepers around.

"We want Mark to develop into the best keeper and that's why I've brought Paul in, to work with him and develop the other keepers at the club along with Stephen Pears.

"I'm a big believer in the development of young players and Steve Round, who took over from me at Derby when I went to Man United, has proved every bit as successful in developing young players.

"He progressed to coaching the first team at Derby and the proof of his ability is in what you see in the likes of Malcolm Christie.''

* Boro will take on Spanish Primera Liga side Athletic Bilbao in defender Curtis Fleming's testimonial on Sunday, August 5.

It will be Boro's only warm-up game at the Riverside ahead of the new Premiership season that starts with the visit of Arsenal 13 days later.

Fleming said: "It's likely to be blood and thunder - it won't be a tippy tappy match.''

Read more about the Boro here.