Happy Thanksgiving, Steve McClaren!

By: Martha | November 22nd, 2007

I realize this will come as a terrible, terrible shock to many of you, but Steve McClaren has been fired from the England job. (Gasp!) That’s what happens, it seems, when 80% of your team’s performances are ragged and dire, and you fail to qualify for Euro 2008 despite being handed an enormous, flashing lifeline by Israel.

The moment the whistle blew last night to end England’s devastating 3-2 home loss to Ukraine Croatia, it was only a matter of time before McClaren was out, despite post-match comments in which he insisted he was staying on. He leaves the job after 16 months, during which time he compiled the worst record in England management history (ouch), leaving FA chief executive Brian Barwick struggling for something nice to say during the post-mortem. In the end, he decided on “I think he’s tried very hard.” OUCH. Isn’t that what you say to the kid who tries to makes a pasta collage but ends up covered in paste, with macaroni glued to his hair?

So, whose next to be ravaged by the British press? Well, the bookies have installed Jose Mourinho as the early favorite, which is a rather distressing thought — we need to see and hear from him way more often than only during international weeks. Behind The Special One on the bookmakers’ list are Mark Hughes, former England coach Terry Venables (McClaren’s assistant, who has also been relieved of his position), Martin O’Neill, who was thought close to the job when McClaren got it in 2006, Alan Shearer (God, yes, please.), Fabio Capello, who has expressed interested in the gig, and a pair of men already busy with national teams: Big Phil Scolari and Guus Hiddink.

Come on, FA, give it to Shearer — screw his youth and lack of experience, you know you want him, and the country will love you for it (at least until he loses).

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Category: England, World Football

Tags: England, McClaren, Mourinho, World Football

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Comments  

• William |  November 22nd, 2007 at 6:50 am

  
  
  

  “England’s devastating 3-2 home loss to Ukraine” -hmm?

  Posted from United States

  

• Tom |  November 22nd, 2007 at 7:05 am

  
  
  

  If Alan Shearer is chosen, I’m renouncing my British citizenship permanently.

  Posted from United States

  

• Gabriella |  November 22nd, 2007 at 7:32 am

  
  
  

  http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7106968.stm
  MARCELLO LIPPI & FABIO CAPELLO
  The two Italians are currently out of the game but have revered reputations for the success they have enjoyed.

  Lippi led Italy to the World Cup last year, while Capello led Real Madrid to the Spanish league title last season before leaving the club during the summer.

  Capello has stated his ambition to take the job but a style of play revolving around the defensive side of the game from both these elder statesmen of the game could put them out of the running.
  ======================================================
  so basically the bbc thinks that world cup winning coach, Lippi, may be too defensive for the FA’s liking… lol
  This is going to turn out to be a great circus!

  Posted from United States

  

• Laurie |  November 22nd, 2007 at 7:34 am

  
  
  

  Martha, Domenech manages to make himself seen and heard regularly despite being a national team coach. I believe The Special One could do even better.

  Posted from United States

  

• Dave's Football Blog |  November 22nd, 2007 at 7:44 am

  
  
  

  On the bright side for McClaren, the Birmingham City job is available. Imagine that club hiring a guy even more unpopular than Steve Bruce.

  Posted from United States

  

• Martha |  November 22nd, 2007 at 8:14 am

  
  
  

  Doh! Thank you, William. Sorry, Eastern Europe, I really don’t think you’re all the same nation.

  Posted from United States

  

• Chris |  November 22nd, 2007 at 8:19 am

  
  
  

  Steve McLaren’s going to the England Christmas party dressed as a pumpkin, he’s hoping someone can turn him into a coach.

  Posted from United States

  

• Agi |  November 22nd, 2007 at 9:08 am

  
  
  

  I’m waiting for the “Jose” chants.

  Did you read FA chairman Geoff Thompson referred to Steve McClaren as “Steve McQueen”? Heh, so much for that great escape…

  Posted from United States

  

• Martha |  November 22nd, 2007 at 9:11 am

  
  
  

  Seriously, Agi? That’s fantastic — if McClaren’s honest, that’s got to be in the top five moments of his life.

  Posted from United States

  

• Ian |  November 22nd, 2007 at 12:41 pm

  
  
  

  Yeah, I can imagine a fan uproar if McClaren goes to Birmingham City. If it happens, it will only be because McLeish turned them down. Nice to see things in their proper order.

  Posted from United States

  

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