Neville: Keep faith with Macca
England players rally round their under-pressure manager
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Tuesday, 13, Nov 2007 11:18
Everton's Phil Neville has urged the FA to stand by England manager Steve McClaren, even if his side miss out on next year's European Championships.
England's defeat away to Russia last month has taken their hopes of qualification out of their control, but the former Manchester United defender insists that McClaren should be allowed to stay regardless of events over the next week.
"Two years ago Steve McClaren was the best man for the job for me," he said.
"People were calling for an English coach and we got the best one. Even if we do not qualify he is still the best man for the job."
His views were echoed by midfielder Steven Gerrard who laid the blame for England's stalling campaign at the players' feet.
"It's important the players take a fair share of the criticism," Gerrard told BBC Radio Five Live.
"We cross the white line and put in the performances, but we've been very inconsistent in the campaign."
Both players are part of a squad preparing for a friendly against Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria on Friday in the hope that their match with Croatia on November 21st will be more than a dead rubber.
Russia travel to Israel this Saturday knowing a win will all but book their place for next summer's tournament and send England spiralling out of the competition.