Thursday, November 22, 2007
Breaking News: McClaren Sacked as England Failed to Qualify for the EURO 2008 Finals
Steve McClaren has described his sacking as England head coach as one of the saddest days of his career.
He told a news conference: "Eighteen months ago was the proudest day.
"I was honoured to be the England head coach. But I can understand the decision by the FA and I have huge disappointment for the people who are really losing out - the fans.
"Basically, I am a fan and wanted this team to succeed as much as anyone.
"I'm not making any excuses. I take full responsibility. We failed to qualify - I paid the price."
He said the players had given him total support and he had no criticism of them.
The Football Association board took the unanimous decision to sack McClaren and assistant Terry Venables at an emergency meeting this morning.
The move came after the side's loss to Croatia and failure to qualify for the Euro 2008 competition.
McClaren said he was told of his sacking after the FA meeting.
At a news conference, the board announced there would now be a thorough examination of the whole England senior team set-up.
This will begin with immediate effect and be led by FA chief executive Brian Barwick.
He has also been given the task of finding the new head coach.
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.
"I would like to thank Steve for the work he has done since taking on the position last summer.
"His commitment to the job could not be questioned and I wish him the best for the future."
McClaren's fate was sealed at Wembley last night when England lost 2-3 to Croatia, despite having come back from two goals down.
Which make all the UK failed to have any country representing them. The likes of Sctoland, Wales, Ireland all failed to book a place in the competition.
They all look unto England having a better chance than them, but England lost the ticket to the third goal scored by the croatians
England had needed just a draw from the match to qualify.
The loss allowed Russia, 1-0 winners at Andorra, to leapfrog them into the second qualifying slot in the group for the finals in Switzerland and Austria next June.
It is the first time since the 1994 World Cup in the US that England have failed to qualify for the finals of a major tournament.
McClaren had been in charge for just 15 months having taken over from Sven-Goran Eriksson after the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
He told a news conference: "Eighteen months ago was the proudest day.
"I was honoured to be the England head coach. But I can understand the decision by the FA and I have huge disappointment for the people who are really losing out - the fans."Basically, I am a fan and wanted this team to succeed as much as anyone.
"I'm not making any excuses. I take full responsibility. We failed to qualify - I paid the price."
He said the players had given him total support and he had no criticism of them.
The Football Association board took the unanimous decision to sack McClaren and assistant Terry Venables at an emergency meeting this morning.
The move came after the side's loss to Croatia and failure to qualify for the Euro 2008 competition.
McClaren said he was told of his sacking after the FA meeting.
At a news conference, the board announced there would now be a thorough examination of the whole England senior team set-up.
This will begin with immediate effect and be led by FA chief executive Brian Barwick.
He has also been given the task of finding the new head coach.
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.
"I would like to thank Steve for the work he has done since taking on the position last summer.
"His commitment to the job could not be questioned and I wish him the best for the future."
McClaren's fate was sealed at Wembley last night when England lost 2-3 to Croatia, despite having come back from two goals down.
Which make all the UK failed to have any country representing them. The likes of Sctoland, Wales, Ireland all failed to book a place in the competition.
They all look unto England having a better chance than them, but England lost the ticket to the third goal scored by the croatians
England had needed just a draw from the match to qualify.
The loss allowed Russia, 1-0 winners at Andorra, to leapfrog them into the second qualifying slot in the group for the finals in Switzerland and Austria next June.
It is the first time since the 1994 World Cup in the US that England have failed to qualify for the finals of a major tournament.
McClaren had been in charge for just 15 months having taken over from Sven-Goran Eriksson after the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
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