New Wolfsburg coach Steve McClaren said his priority is to keep the Bundesliga's top-scorer Edin Dzeko at the club and lead the Wolves back to the top of the German league.

The 49-year-old steered Twente Enschede to their first Dutch league title last season, but takes over at Wolfsburg who finished a disappointing eighth last term after winning the Bundesliga title in May 2009.

"The crash from first to eighth place was a huge disappointment," said former England coach McClaren.

"I have come here to lead the club back up to the top of the table and European football is the goal."

Dzeko, 24, scored 22 goals in 34 Bundesliga matches last season, but could leave the club next Monday for €40 million on a get-out clause in his contract which runs until June 2013.

"He is a world-class striker who is immensely important to our success," said McClaren.

"I would love to keep him. If you look at how prices have shot up for the best strikers, we have to be happy to have one at that level."

As the first English manager in the Bundesliga, McClaren admits he is a pioneer.

"In the history of football, English trainers don't tend to travel too far," admitted McClaren.

"I have really enjoyed being in the Netherlands for the last two years and I am looking forward to this new challenge in the German league."