McLaren gets the boot
22nd November, 2007
The FA has this morning announced that Steve McLaren and Terry Venables have been sacked from their England coaching positions.
It was a ‘unanimous decision’ by the FA board, bringing to a swift end McLaren’s 18 months in charge, which has seen new levels of criticism since the World Cup in the summer 2006. After a poor qualifying campaign, the 3-2 defeat to the already-qualified Croatia which put them out of the Euro 2008 finals sealed the management team’s fate.
Chairman of the FA told a press conference on Thursday morning: "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. The recruitment process for the new coach begins now and we will do everything to get the right man for the job."
McLaren is expected to be paid over £2million in compensation as his four-year deal was cut short early. Ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has immediately been installed as the favourite to succeed McLaren at 5/2 with Sky Bet. Updates on betting on this market are provided instantly to your desktop using our Gaming Alerts software, click here to go to the download page.
The FA have decided to make the move before the 2010 World Cup Qualifying draw on Sunday, and admitted that they will begin looking for a successor immediately, of which nationality will not matter. England’s next fixture is a friendly against France in March.
