York-born McClaren said: "I was a Leeds fan as a kid, I grew up going to Elland Road and watching that great team in the Seventies.
"You always have a big affection for your first club and I was flattered to be linked with the Leeds job.
"But they don't tug at the heart-strings now, that's long gone, it's many moons ago.
"I'm surprised at the state they are in now. When you look back three years, they were in the semi-finals of the Champions League and flying. They probably over-extended themselves and they are paying the price now.
"But, in going through adversity, they have pulled together and are maybe a bit stronger, so it might make it tougher there than normal.''