McClaren is the man
The FA can today confirm that Steve McClaren will be the next England Head Coach. He will take up his new role from 1 August on a four-year contract.
McClaren was selected by the nominations committee composed of FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick, FA Chairman Geoff Thompson, Dave Richards, Noel White and David Dein, with Sir Trevor Brooking in an advisory role. The appointment was unanimously agreed by today’s FA Board meeting.
McClaren has been part of the England set-up since October 2000 as Assistant Coach to Sven-Goran Eriksson, excluding a period between October 2002 and May 2004.
He was part of the coaching team at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan and Euro 2004 in Portugal, and will also be in Germany with England this summer.
He combined this role with his position as manager of Middlesbrough FC, which he has held since the summer of 2001. During this time he led the club to their first major honour, the Carling Cup in 2004, and next week’s UEFA Cup Final against Sevilla.
McClaren said: “This is the biggest honour that any coach can have, and is obviously the highlight of my career. It’s a massive challenge and one that I welcome. I have hugely enjoyed my time at Middlesbrough and am very grateful to the club.
“However, this was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. My immediate priority is next week’s UEFA Cup Final with Boro, and then working with Sven and his coaching team to achieve success in Germany this summer, before I turn my thoughts to the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.”
Brian Barwick said: “I’m delighted to be able to announce Steve’s appointment today. He has shown himself to be a top-class coach for both country and club, leading Middlesbrough to the most successful period in the club’s history. He is the only current English manager in the Premiership to have won a major trophy.
“Steve is highly-respected within the game, has a wealth of international experience and ensures continuity within the England team set-up. I would also like to express my gratitude to Middlesbrough FC, and the other candidates and clubs involved, for their co-operation throughout this process.”
FA Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking added: “I’m delighted that Steve will be the next England Head Coach. His appointment is great news for England and also for the English game long-term, underlining confidence in English coaching.
“His first priority will be success with the England senior team, but as a holder of the UEFA Pro Licence he will also play an integral part in The FA’s coach development programme. He has shown at Middlesbrough that he is innovative and committed to bringing through talented young English players and giving them their chance at the top level.”
Sven-Goran Eriksson added: “I’m obviously very pleased for Steve, but also for the England team. I have worked closely with Steve ever since I came to England and know how good a coach he is. He is well-liked and well-respected by the players and staff. I have no doubt that he has all the credentials to be very successful in the job and wish him all the best.
“I said that I didn’t want the next England coach to be with the team at the World Cup, unless he was already involved in the set-up. Steve is a key part of my coaching staff and I’m delighted to have him with us in Germany.”
I GIVE BIC MAC 110% BACKING AS ENGLANDS HEAD COACH. BUT THERE ARE SOME (INCLUDING ME) FEEL THAT HE ONLY GOT THE JOB BECAUSE THE TOP TARGETS DECLINED THE OFFER TO BECOME A COACH OF A COUNTRY WERE THE TABLOIDS WILL EXPLOIT THEM WITH AN IRON FIST. SO THE FA DECIDED TO STAY WITH SVENS REGIME AND WHO BETTER TO TAKE OVER THAN STEVE MCLAREN. BUT THERE IS A FEW THINGS THAT REAL FOOTBALL FANS KNOW AND THAT IS STEVE IS A PASSIONATE COACH, HE WANTS TO WIN WHATEVER IT TAKES AND HE WILL ENCOURAGE YOUNG PLAYERS TO PLAY BEYOND THERE POTENTIAL FOR CLUB AND COUNTRY. LETS JUST HOPE THAT WHEN HE PICKS ANDY JOHNSON HE WILL PLAY HIM UPFRONT NOT ON THE WING.
Yeah I think that its something that was overlooked a little ...I mean the right hand man to Sven...it makes a lot of sense and players have the respect for him also his record as a player and coach is really decent.....about the " maybe second choice thing" I feel the FA did have a schedule on what they required and it was the media who said Scalari had the job offered not a FA official..for me I personally feel they have made the right choice in Steve but feel it could have been all sorted AFTER we win the world cup.? SSB :wink:
I DO FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE MADE THE DECISION AFTER THE WORLD CUP. KNOW THE TABLOIDS ARE ALL OVER STEVE, ITS LIKE THEY ARE ALREADY LOOKING TO THE EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS. I DO FEEL PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE ASHLEY COLE'S POINT OF VEIW AND NOT BOTHER ABOUT THE MCLAREN APPOINTMENT UNTIL AFTER THE WORLD CUP BECAUSE AS WE KNOW THE TEAM IS ALL OVER THE PLACE WITH INJURIES AND THE WILL THEY WON'T THEY PLAY SCENARIO. COLE'S EXACT WORDS WHEN HE WAS ASKED ABOUT STEVE'S APPOINTMENT AFTER THE MAN CITY GAME WAS "I DON'T CARE" "STEVE'S A GOOD COACH BUT WE STILL PLAY FOR SVEN IN THE WORLD CUP" AND THE MAIN TWO WORDS ARE WORLD CUP BECAUSE THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.
Yeah teddy you got it right with what ashley cole has said..we need tunnel vision as far as the England players are concerned...focus on whats going on now...focus focus focus..we can win the world cup lets look at what we have..and hey a great pedigree..specially with Sven at the helm
