Steve McClaren starts his new role as England Head Coach today, arriving at Soho Square for his first day in charge of the Three Lions to start the new era and begin in earnest his planning for his first game in charge on 16 August.

Once inside Soho Square Steve McClaren said: "I'm excited, and I'm looking forward to the challenge - and it is a big challenge. I know everybody in the building and it's a fantastic set-up so there are no excuses - it is so well run.

"The priority is the England team, and working with the players and the squad to prepare for the friendly against Greece and, looking further ahead, to the European Championships.

"I will look to make a few changes and freshen a few things up."

"I think it hit home when I was appointed, at that press conference, but the period since then has been a bit of a vacuum and I'm delighted that period is over now."

"You have to assess the players first of all, and to have a good relationship with the clubs, so we will be speaking to their management, coaching staff and medical staff.

"The aim is to try and bring the whole nation closer together - the team and the fans.

"We have to build a team that can achieve something and give the fans something to be proud of."

The FA's Chief Executive Brian Barwick said: "It's very exciting, isn't it? It's a new chapter and a new era. The England team has huge support and a huge following, and now it's a huge opportunity."

"His first challenge was to find a coffee machine, his second challenge was to find my office and his third challenge - and the real challenge - is to build an England team that we can all be proud of. And I am happy he will be able to do that."

Earlier Brian Horton, who first employed Steve as a coach at Oxford, also paid tribute: "He always had a chance of being a successful coach, he was organised and one of the people who helped run the players’ bar at Oxford," Horton told TheFA.com.

"When I left the club to be Manchester City manager, I took my coach David Moss with me and I nearly took Steve as well. It’s lucky he didn’t join me. Instead he met Jim Smith and the rest is history as they say.

"He’s seen both sides of football, you need a lot of patience to be a youth team coach and when he was at Manchester United he said one of the main jobs dealing with big names was keeping them happy.

"I am sure that has held Steve in good stead"

Another McClaren supporter is Bryan Robson who believes that his international experience will prove "invaluable" to the new England head coach.

"I think that Steve McClaren will do a very good job," said the former England captain.

"He has obviously learned the ropes quickly as a coach under Jim Smith [at Derby] and then Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford before taking the reins at Middlesbrough, but the most important thing in his favour has been his work under Sven-Goran Eriksson with England.

"That will prove to be his biggest asset over the next few years, which means that he knows what it is all about. That experience will be invaluable to him."

The West Bromwich Albion manager, whose side were relegated last season, said: "Steve's a very forward-thinking coach and so that will give him every chance of being successful.

"England have a great crop of players at the moment and if you've got great players at your disposal then that gives you a great chance as a coach."

Chelsea defender John Terry said: "Every manager is different and I am sure that he will be very different to Sven. Sven was a little quieter and I am sure Steve will be in your face more.

"Some of us like to see that. It is great to see the passion as well in him and hopefully that will rub off on us. He and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho are very similar. For me, he would be my ideal manager."

Fans Messages:

Andrew Payne from Rothenfluh siad: "Welcome Steve to the biggest job in England. We need somebody who has passion and understands the players. You are the right person. All the best"

Nicholas Poole from Isle of Dogs: "Just wanted to wish Mr McClaren all the very best in the England job and let's hope for lots of success!!!!!"

Tony Freeman said: "Congratulations and good luck. Somewhere within all that talent is the ability to win competitions - your task is to identify the right blend of personnel, the right tactics and above all the right mentality to achieve what every English fan craves."

Roger Gibson said: "Good luck Steve, we want to see an England side that plays like their life depends on it, a team that we can trust to deliver and that recognises the immense importance the national side plays in all of our lives. I’m sure you will be the man to resurrect the fortunes."

Simon Wilcox from Stockholm said: "As an ex-pat living in Sweden it has been interesting following Svens reign. I hope Steve manages to fulfil the potential of these players because they are without doubt the most talented crop that this country has ever produced. Good luck Steve."

To give your message of support to Steve McClaren on his first day click here and we will publish a selection as the day progresses