Owen plays the name game

	14 August 2006
	Owen Hargreaves press conference
	The Bayern Munich man has reason for cheer ahead of Wednesday's friendly with Greece.

Owen Hargreaves believes Steve McClaren’s special relationship with the Three Lions squad will give him a big advantage as he prepares to begin his new career as England Head Coach.

Hargreaves, who has been around the England set-up since 2001 himself, has already noticed a different approach under the new manager but expects an easy hand-over.

McClaren takes charge of his first game tomorrow, a friendly against Greece at Old Trafford, and already things are shaping up nicely.

Hargreaves said: "When somebody is an assistant manager they develop a special relationship towards the players, more so possibly than a manager would. They have a closer relationship to the players.

"That was the case in the past with Steve McClaren and he knows the lads on and off the pitch as well. It’s great now that he is England manager because he knows the ins and outs of all us, and our strengths and weaknesses, and that bodes well for the team.

"The only thing is what to call him. The lads were talking about it over lunch. I don’t think we can call him on a first name basis any more because he’s the boss."

No doubt it will be plain old ‘boss’ or ‘gaffer’ from now on, but all the players realise there is a big opportunity ahead as they jostle for a place in a new-look England side.

Hargreaves, in particular, can look forward to the future with gusto. After all, he was one of the players who performed well at the World Cup in Germany and even came out of it a fans’ hero.

He went into the tournament as an outsider in some people’s view and having been booed by a small number of his own fans. But that soon turned around with the all-action performances he produced in midfield, particularly against Portugal in the quarter-final.

Now he is hoping for a good reception at Old Trafford on Wednesday - and surely he is guaranteed one.

He said: "I think the perception around me changed after the Portugal game compared to before the World Cup.

"I think if you ask anyone if they would rather have a boo or a cheer they would choose a cheer. And obviously I received the other side of that.

"I’ve seen both sides, the good and the bad, and obviously I prefer the good side. If they greet me with a positive reception I would appreciate that."

Although Hargreaves can be proud of his performances in Germany, the overall disappointment of England’s World Cup exit won’t evaporate away so easily.

But he hopes a new start under a new boss will give everyone the impetus to move forward.

He said: "Of course we’re very disappointed we didn’t progress. There are not many teams in the world who can make it to the quarter-finals and not play to their best, most teams make it their playing above their limit. We never really hit our stride.

"We’re disappointed with the way things worked out but now is a new era, a new team and a new qualifying campaign for the European Championships. We need to be optimistic."

Stay with TheFA.com as we build up to Steve McClaren's first match in charge of England.