McClaren

Here's something that deserves a mention, the McClaren Street Multi Use Games Area (M.U.G.A.) in Coppenhall. Launched last year, it's a latest generation artificial surface that allows teams to train and kids to play any time of the year. In my day you played on grass, but looking at the state of the waterlogged pitches around the town (like the traditional ones off McClaren Street) it's easy to see why the kids needed something. Always in use, the facility even has floodlights. Local Coppenhall councillors have been delighted with its success with a noticeable reduction in anti-social behaviour. Better still, it seems to monitor itself. Kids of different ages have enough space to play footy, chase about or just hang around. These facilities cost a few quid but they could be the answer in

Steve McClaren was left to do what he does best this morning, deflecting a ravenous media from the key questions hanging over England's miserable failure to qualify for Euro 2008. As we always sensed it would, McClaren's beguiling mastery of the press seems set to mask his team's shortcomings well beyond his 18-month tenure. There would be no statement of defiance, no explanation of his skewed

I had meant to tone down the criticism of Steve McClaren after Croatia coach, Steve Bilic, had his two cents about the difficulties in managing a national team. He said: “As a club manager you need a couple of years to make or build a team. In a national team you need three or four years because you do not have the players every day. It’s not McClaren’s fault. I feel for him and hope he is going to continue.” Watching the match against Austria, I concur with Bilic. Of course, we should let McClaren carry on. England will be the shining beacon of mediocrity and any national coach just need to hold up his report card against McClaren’s and chances are, he will be exonerated. Now that Israel has defeated Russia 2-1, the stage is set for McClaren to win over his critics but I have a nagging suspicion he will falter. The exhibition match against Austria (co-host of Euro 08) ended with a 1-0 win for England. From David Beckham’s corner kick, Peter Crouch headed in the goal in the

Despite facing vehement calls to resign, McClaren is putting up a brave front and insisted he is confident of reaching next summer’s finals and that he is the right man to lead England through qualifying campaign for the World Cup. Audacious statements from a man secure about his own talent but it appears to be misplaced. England’s hopes depend on both Russia and Croatia dropping points to rescue his skin. If Russia demolish Israel this Saturday, it will condemn England to the humiliation of playing Croatia in a friendly match. I had hoped that the argument over McClaren’s England job can be put to rest after this week. Whether England will be on the plane to Euro 2008 is immaterial, there is no escaping the fact that McClaren is not the right person for this role. Now, I do not expect McClaren to resign on his own accord (thus his defiant attitude), that will be foolish and being uneasy on his own wallet. Rather he is looking forward to being sacked by the FA. The severance

McClaren has launched a savage defending of his trans-Atlantic hop to behold Beckham having been lambasted in some stations for his flying to Los Angeles, accompanying Terry murderer amid those to claim it was “ludicrous” to undertake the excursion genuinely to behold Beckham disport in an show equal for LA Galaxy against a team largely made up of Hollywood celebrities. (Read the full post about ‘No guarantees for Becks - McClaren’…)

While major European rivals Germany and Italy routinely stretch the latter stages of big tournaments and France possess already enjoyed honor years during the eras of Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane, for England it has largely been 40 years of inexorable hurt since the World beaker honor day in 1966. (Read the full post about ‘McClaren calls for England inquest’…)

Terry Venables has backed Steve McClaren to stay on as England Coach even if England do not get to Euro 2008.Venables: "I think Steve knows himself we were a little bit late starting off, but we got there - we were a fraction away,...I do believe the improvement is worth a little more patience"England fans do not have that kind of patience, and rightly so. We were expected to walk this group and now find ourselves hoping results go our way. I for one am not prepared to let him have another go. What if he makes a hash of the World Cup Qualificaitons? Will it only after missing two competitions he will be sacked? Sven was seen as a failure (unfairly so) because he didn't get England past the quarter-finals. McClaren has presided over some woeful performances and Venables expects he should st

Steve McClaren has no intention of stepping down as England coach after watching his team's chances of qualifying for next year's UEFA European Championship finals dramatically implode in Russia on Wednesday.

...but he didn't listen. If you'll recall, a few short days ago Soccer Source completed a poll, where only 6% favored starting Robinson. Sure enough, Robbo cost England a goal and the match and a crucial point that may end up proving fatal to England's qualification efforts. "It bears repeating, Robinson was at fault for the second [goal]," the Guardian's log of the game said. Too bad the Spurs goalkeeper preempted using the excuse of the artificial turf, telling Goal.com earlier this week that "we can't be putting excuses in the way about plastic pitches."Now England have their work cut out for them and are going to need help to reach the final stage next summer. Their last game is at Wembley Nov. 21 against group leaders Croatia. If they win that game, they have a chance. If they tie, they still have a chance, albeit a remote one. If they lose, their only chance is if Russia fails to get two points from its final two games, which isn't going to happen seeing as Russia's last

England coach Steve McClaren has expressed confidence that his side can get through UEFA EURO 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia without captain John Terry and leading goalscorer Michael Owen.

England coach Steve McClaren and Wayne Rooney were reportedly involved in a dressing-room row after the goalless draw against Israel. The forward is said to have walked out of the dressing room... This is the summary only, please visit my website to check all my videos.

When I heard that Martin O'Neill had been confirmed as the new Aston Villa Manager last summer, I was delighted. I think every Aston Villa fan on the planet had exactly the same thoughts going through their heads..."Martin O'Neill, Aston Villa Manager? Fantastic, now lets get the ownership sorted out as well"...And up steps Randy Lerner, a man that honestly I knew nothing at all about. To this day, I still know very little about Mr Lerner, and i don't care. All i want to know is that he presents himself professionally as the owner of Aston Villa, and that he gives the Manager the tools that he needs to succeed...or at least to have a damn good go.now, in the same time period, Steve McClaren has been announced as the new England manager. At no point so far have i believed that Steve McClaren is the man to lead England to success. And in no way would i want him to be the manager of Aston Villa. I just don't think that he has the credentials.As an Englishman, I would love O'Neill to