McClaren sacked for Euro failure

Last Modified: 22 Nov 2007
By: Sue Turton

The FA announces manager Steve McClaren's dismissal after England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

"This is one of the saddest days of my career". The words of Steve McClaren on the day his 18-month tenure as England's national football coach ended ignominiously in the wake of the team's failure to qualify for next year's European championships.

His fate was sealed at an emergency meeting of the FA board in London, which also ordered a "root and branch examination" of the way the national team is managed.

McClaren's sacking led to a scramble of betting on his possible successor - and a search for the reasons behind the team's lack of success.

In the second half England fans were chanting: "You don't care - you've got a Ferrari."

Outplayed, outclassed, out of the Euros. No last-minute miracle. No great escape. Just a lot of barracking from the England fans and calls for the manager's head on a plate.

This morning they got it. The FA board decided terminate the contract of steve McLaren and Terry Venables.

By lunchtime McClaren was taking it on the chin.

But are Mssrs McClaren and Venables right to shoulder all the blame for the end to England's disastrous Euro campaign?

Many have attacked the team for not showing up, for giving up the fight when down 2-0. In the second half the fans were chanting: "You don't care - you've got a Ferrari."

There was no sign today that FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick was about to fall on his sword.

Others blame foreign signings, depleting the pool of England players and leaving the England coach with fewer and fewer homegrown stars.

Or is it in part down to the FA board? After all, they are the ones who picked Steve McLaren.

But there was no sign today that FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick was about to fall on his sword. He apologised but declined to resign.

A root and branch examination of the England team set-up has been promised. The hunt is now on for McClaren's successor.