Soccer: Mclaren...Get the F out!

James Deuce

GFX Moderator

After England lost Wednesday's European Championship qualifier 2-0 at Croatia, the Football Association canceled McClaren's trip to NFL side Seattle Seahawks to study coaching methods.

Stung by the failure of his experimental 3-5-2 formation and at home next week, the coach said he'll watch as many players as possible ahead of friendlies at the Netherlands on Nov. 15 and at home to Spain on Feb. 7.

Those games will be crucial to McClaren's hopes of improving England's performances in its next Euro 2008 qualifier. That comes March 24 at Israel, which has not lost at home in a competitive match for seven years.

"We have to use the friendlies and really get into individuals and the squad, get into what wins and what will win, so that when we get to the qualification games in five months, the approach is different," McClaren said Thursday.

McClaren's talk of a change chimed with British newspaper suggestions that former captain David Beckham should be recalled, less than two months after McClaren dropped him.

McClaren's appointment has been questioned since he was promoted from Sven-Goran Eriksson's assistant following England's lackluster elimination from the World Cup quarterfinals. Fans noted he only got the job because Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari turned it down.

After starting with three straight wins, McClaren led England to Saturday's 0-0 draw against visiting Macedonia and then defeat in Zagreb. The results, including England's heaviest competitive defeat in 13 years, mean the team may not even reach Euro 2008.

Eriksson was criticized for much less. He guided England to two World Cups and the 2004 European Championship. His only loss in 24 qualifying matches came in his 22nd match.

"With my coaches, I have to find out the reasons why we lost and put them right," McClaren said. "The personnel will maybe have to be different."

McClaren's authority has also been hit by reports that his assistant Terry Venables - a former England coach- has a major influence on tactics.

However, McClaren was without suspended midfielder Steven Gerrard and at least four injured first-team players. Some may return next time, while midfielders Michael Carrick and Stewart Downing are among those who may be dropped.

England's under-21 side qualified for their European Championship this week with a 2-0 win at Germany and McClaren could use some of those players as replacements.


"There are players in the under-21s knocking on the door and we will be looking at them very closely," McClaren said.

The most likely promotion is that of striker Theo Walcott, who was in the World Cup squad but didn't play. The 17-year-old scored both the under-21s' goals in Leverkusen on Tuesday.

Midfielders Kevin Nolan and Nigel Reo-Coker, and defenders Micah Richards and Michael Dawson could also step up.

But will they be joined by Beckham?

"Come Beck," was the headline on the front page of British daily The Sun. The paper said readers were demanding the Real Madrid midfielder's return.

Even Croatia coach Slaven Bilic said Beckham should be recalled.

"When you see Beckham's name on the team sheet, it has an effect," Bilic said. "I wouldn't say it scares you, but it makes you apprehensive."


Source: Fox Sports

He is not fit for the job in any way, shape of form. They should of picked a manager that managed a good team....not Middlesbrough. He doesnt know what he is doing, hes worse then Sven. 5 games in a row loses, they were against teams that are not that good and yet they still lose. Somthing needs to be done.