The Hindu : Sport : McClaren sacked, hunt on for new coach

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Friday, Nov 23, 2007
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McClaren sacked, hunt on for new coach

LONDON: Steve McClaren shuffled through the bowels of Wembley towards his final inquisition as England coach with the stunned expression of a man who had finally realised his reign would not have a happy ending.

McClaren’s team had been eliminated from the race to Euro 2008 after a 3-2 defeat against Croatia capped one of England’s most abject qualifying campaigns and the coach looked as though he was about to face a firing squad as he walked into a press conference.

So it proved only hours later as the Football Association put McClaren out of his misery by confirming his sacking on Thursday morning.

England’s Football Association said it would consider foreign candidates for the vacancy as manager of the national team in a change of policy that could clear the way for an approach to Jose Mourinho.

FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick said the search for his successor would not be restricted to English or British candidates.

“I don’t think nationality will be an issue,” said Barwick, the man who effectively appointed McClaren in the aftermath of the 2006 World Cup.

McClaren had refused to resign immediately after he and his players were booed off the Wembley turf by an angry capacity crowd, but he did agree that the squad had let the country down.

“It is an indescribable pain,” McClaren said. “There is so much expectation, both from the fans in the stadium and the people watching on TV at home.

“We have let them down. We know what they are feeling — we are feeling exactly the same.

“I take responsibility. Ultimately, I said judge me over 12 games. We deserve to be where we finish and we have not deserved to qualify. That is my responsibility.” — Agencies

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