McClaren’s Task Begins
Steve McClaren’s task of rebuilding England and restoring some lost pride after the disappointments of the World Cup starts today.
The former Middlesbrough boss, 45, was named as manager in May as successor to Sven Goran Eriksson.
He will announce his backroom team in London on 11 August, with former England coach Terry Venables expected to be given a role.
But former England striker Alan Shearer will not be involved after rejecting the offer of a coaching role in the new set-up on Sunday.
Bill Beswick, McClaren’s sports psychology guru and assistant manager at Middlesbrough, is also expected to be given a backroom role.
Beswick left the Teessiders at the end of the season - after their Uefa Cup final defeat by Sevilla.
The futures of England coach Sammy Lee, goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence and England Under-21 boss Peter Taylor are on all McClaren’s agenda.
He must also appoint a new England captain after David Beckham’s resignation.
McClaren will be familiar with his new environment, having worked under Eriksson during the Swede’s time in charge.
He has been on the FA payroll for the last five years but has only worked on a part-time basis around matches and never from the FA’s Soho Square headquarters.
Chief executive Brian Barwick will interrupt his holiday to greet McClaren on his first day in the job.
McClaren will name his first England squad on 12 August for the friendly game against Greece.
Those players will meet up in Manchester on 14 August and McClaren is expected to delay the announcement of his new captain until he has seen the candidates face-to-face.
Chelsea’s John Terry and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard are the front-runners, with Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United the outsiders.
