McClaren - It's a vote for England
Steve McClaren claims his rise through the game to England manager should be an inspiration to all English coaches.
McClaren, who started his coaching career at Oxford, will take over from Sven-Goran Eriksson after the World Cup.
The Middlesbrough boss signed a four-year deal in London today and declared himself the “proudest man” in the country.
He is also thrilled that, after almost opting for Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Football Association chose an English manager to succeed Swede Eriksson.
McClaren, 45, said: “It’s about who is the best man for the job.
“Five years ago the FA decided the best man for the job was Sven.
“This time they’ve gone patriotic and they’ve gone English. I back that entirely because I believe it’s true.
“I’m sat here and that’s motivation for any young English coach out there that they can get the qualifications and get the experience.
“That’s what we intend to do over the future years – give people that experience so the England manager continues to be English.
“There are so many great English coaches out there in our game. Five years ago there weren’t many and now you’ve got the calibre of myself, Sam Allardyce and Alan Curbishley who have come through the system.
“It’s got to be motivation for young coaches out there that it can be done.”
McClaren insists he has what it takes to succeed in the job after stepping up from his role as Eriksson’s coach.
Scolari pulled out of the race claiming he could not stand the pressure on his personal life – but that will not bother the Boro boss.
McClaren said: “I’ve got the knowledge, the experience, I’ve taken part in big games, won big games, been successful whichever club I’ve been to and worked with top players.
“I’ve been around England for five years. I know the pressures and the scrutiny. I’ve been close to it.
“This is obviously a different level but my ultimate ambition is for everybody to be behind the team, for everybody to support England and support what we’re trying to do, to go forward and win a tournament.
“Over the next four years we have a possibility of winning a major tournament. I definitely believe that.”
Former Manchester United coach McClaren may need to win the World Cup or European Championship to convince some doubting England fans.
He has an impressive CV, having won the Champions League with United and the Carling Cup with Boro, but opinion polls among England fans show his popularity is low.
Asked how he could boost his street credibility, McClaren said: “Win football matches, do well in tournaments and over the period of my contract win a major tournament.
“This is the proudest day of my life, managing England. What an honour to bestow on anybody and I’m sat here with that honour.”
McClaren wants to finish the domestic season with Middlesbrough, who are in the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday, and then go to the World Cup as England number two.
Only after that, will he talk in detail about the backroom team he wants to put in place and who will captain his England team.
He starts his new job on August 1, and his first game will be against Greece in a friendly at Old Trafford on August 16.
McClaren said: “I step up from being number two to number one where you have to make the final decision. That’s something I look forward to.
“I’ve stepped up to number one before. I believe international football and international footballers are different.
“They just want to win football matches and they want a person in charge who can help them win.
“They want someone who can give them the right preparation, the right game-plan, the right motivation.
“It’s a little bit different to being at your club because anyone playing for their country is motivated to play for their country and motivated to win.”
McClaren insisted the Football Association had always kept him informed as the selection process developed.
He also claimed he missed most of the Scolari episode because he was focused on Middlesbrough’s UEFA Cup semi-final against Steaua Bucharest.
McClaren said: “Everybody within the FA has kept me in the loop and in the process.
“I’ve known all along what’s been happening and been very comfortable with the process and very comfortable with the outcome, which is the most important thing.”
