McClaren sacked by FA
Steve McClaren has been axed by the FA
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Thursday, 22, Nov 2007 09:10
Steve McClaren's contract as England manager has been terminated by the Football Association after an emergency meeting this morning.
The board convened at FA headquarters in Soho Square to discuss the future of McClaren and the England national team after last night's poor performance and 3-2 defeat to Croatia at Wembley.
And news leaked this morning that the coach's position had been declared untenable.
McClaren was appointed last summer following the resignation of Sven-Goran Eriksson after the quarter-final exit from the 2006 World Cup.
The decision to name the former Middlesbrough boss as the new national team coach was met with widespread derision, with many saying his club exploits did not give him the necessary credence as an international manager.
McClaren's appointment was also tinged with uncertainty after early media reports named Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari as the first choice to take over from Eriksson.
And although the FA later stated he had never been officially offered the post, it tainted the future appointment of McClaren, who was then branded as 'second-choice Steve'.
This rocky start was tempered by convincing wins in his opening two matches as manager, against European champions Greece and group E minnows Andorra.
However the new manager's reign took a turn for the worse a few months later with a goalless draw at home to Macedonia and a 2-0 defeat to Croatia in Zagreb.
McClaren never enjoyed a good relationship with the country's media.
And this forever had him on the defensive during press conferences, and meant journalists rarely gave him the chance to live down his mistakes.
A number of other disappointing results, including a 0-0 draw in Israel, a 2-1 reverse against Russia and last night's defeat to Croatia, meant few fans retained much confidence in his ability.
After last night's loss at Wembley, the crowd voiced their displeasure as a series of boos rang out across the stadium.
McClaren said he had no intention of quitting his job but the FA board have been forced to act after the weight of public pressure eventually told.