£2.5m payoff for sacked McClaren

Last Modified: 22 Nov 2007
By: Lewis Hannam

England coach Steve McClaren was sacked today following his team's failure to reach next summer's European Championships.

The former Middlesbrough boss will pocket about £2.5m in compensation as a result of the Football Association's decision.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick - the man who attracted criticism for appointing McClaren in the first place - has now been charged with finding his successor.

FA chairman Geoff Thompson said: "Like every England fan, we are all bitterly disappointed that we have failed to qualify for Euro 2008, and I know Steve feels that disappointment more than anyone.

"Of course we have no divine right to play in major tournaments, but it is quite right that qualification is expected."

He said the recruitment process would start now, but that there was no definite timescale.

Mr Barwick, who like McClaren has faced calls to resign, said the decision to remove the England boss was not an easy one.

He said: "I spoke to Steve this morning - we get on very well with him. I've had many grown-up conversations and had another one with him this morning - and I can only wish him well.

"But in the end, not qualifying for Euro 2008 comes up short. Qualification for a major tournament is probably a minimum requirement."

Barwick said the cost to the FA of sacking McClaren - and his assistant Terry Venables - was "less than £5m".

He added: "The recruitment process for the new coach begins now and we will do everything to get the right man for the job.

"It will be done differently. We've got to learn lessons from the way we did it."

England were knocked out of the European Championships last night following a 3-2 defeat at home to Croatia.

It is all of the Home Nations have failed to qualify for a major tournament since 1984.