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

Patriotic Steve McClaren believes The FA have got the right man after he jumped at the opportunity to become England’s next Head Coach.

The Middlesbrough manager looked very much at home at Soho Square on Thursday having agreed to take over from Sven-Goran Eriksson after the World Cup in Germany.

In fact he was relaxed and confident as he talked through his reasons for taking the post and the attributes that made him such an outstanding candidate.

There were, of course, other people in the running during a highly-publicised recruitment process. But McClaren is adamant The FA have made the right decision in the end - and the way he handled his first press conference with such dignity and assurance suggests he is right.

"The FA had to pick the best man for the job and I believe they have," he said.

"That's all that matters. I've got the knowledge and experience. I've taken part in big games, won big games and been successful whichever club I've been to. And I've worked with the top players which I think is essential for this job.

"It doesn’t guarantee success but I think it’s essential when you go into this job that you have that experience, knowledge and confidence of working with top players at top tournaments and knowing what it takes to win.

"I believe I've developed that and believe I sit here with the right credentials to take the job, take it forward and be successful."

Perhaps most of important of all for England is the fact that McClaren already knows the squad inside out after five years working alongside Sven - and he knows how to handle the biggest names in world football.

"I believe international footballers are different, they are a different animal. They just want to win, they want to win football matches and want a person in charge who can help them win, who can give them the right game-plan, the right motivation and preparation."

That inside knowledge will no doubt help McClaren to make a flying start to his new job, which will begin with a friendly against European champions Greece at Old Trafford on August 16.

But his appointment also shows the value of The FA’s coaching development programme which has seen several young English managers come to the fore.

#McClaren said: "I believe that I'm sat here as a motivation for any English coach out there that they can get the qualifications and can get the experience. That's what we intend to do over future years, to give people that experience so the England manager continues to be English.

"I've always been in favour of coaching development in this country and it’s something that has really developed in our game."

McClaren, who began his coaching career at Oxford United, has had many mentors during his career but he picks out two particularly important ones after landing the biggest job in football.

He said: "Sven is one inspiration. I've had a fantastic working relationship with him and he's brought to the English game and to the job a certain calmness and steadiness and a certain charisma which the players have appreciated.

"He's developed this squad to the point where we are now going into the World Cup with a very good chance of winning it.

"Sir Alex, obviously has also been an influence, working with him at the top level for three years. For me that was the breakthrough in my career. Working at that level with the top players gave me the belief and confidence."

Now, having reached the pinnacle of football management, McClaren is ready to tread his own path at the very top of the game. But he repeatedly batted off requests to describe how his style and tactics will be different to that of Eriksson.

"You'll find that out in August," he said.

And the wry smile told everyone he was very much in control - and very much the right man for the job.