04 May 2006
VIDEO: Steve McClaren announcement

On the day that he was confirmed as the next England Head Coach, Steve McClaren speaks to the media

Brian Barwick has hailed England’s future manager and backed him to win a trophy for the country.

The FA’s Chief Executive has left no stone unturned in his bid to choose the right man to take England forward after the World Cup, and he is delighted to have signed up Steve McClaren.

Now he believes the Middlesbrough manager, who is already assistant to Sven-Goran Eriksson under the current regime, can guide the Three Lions to future glory.

He said: "Steve’s ambition is to land a trophy for England. We are a fantastic football nation but we’ve only won one trophy.

"We have a great set of players who are going to the World Cup hoping to carry that one off. And then those players it seems to me - but I’m not the coach or the future coach - are young enough to carry forward into the next European Championship and World Cup.

"There isn’t a gun to Steve’s head saying ‘you have to win it‘, but that I’m sure it is his ambition and it should be our ambition too."

Barwick was hugely impressed with McClaren during the selection process and explained exactly why he got the job.

He said: "Steve did back to back two fantastic interviews - really special.

"Then there is the continuity factor - he understands how The FA is, how The FA works. And I think it’s the right moment for an Englishman to take England forward.

"I think we’ve come out with a person who is the unanimous choice of the nominations group and who was unanimously received today at the FA Board.

"It has been a long journey and I’ve had a few sleepless nights, by the way, during this period. But I’m very content with where we’ve got to. I’m delighted that Steve McClaren is our next manager."