McClaren ready for England task

Steve McClaren has described his job as England's new head coach as "a great challenge and a great adventure".

The 45-year-old arrived late for his first day in the role at the FA's headquarters in Soho Square after his flight south from Teesside was delayed.

The former Middlesbrough boss replaces Sven-Goran Eriksson in the post.

"I'm very excited and can't wait to get started," added McClaren. "It's going to be different from Sven, totally different. I'm going to do it my way."

And on being asked as to who will replace David Beckham as captain,
McClaren said: "Individuals and smaller details we'll get to later on."

McClaren was named as manager in May and overseeing preparations for a friendly against Greece on 16 August will be among his first duties.

Before then McClaren will watch Manchester United at the Amsterdam tournament at the weekend and next on the agenda will be the announcement of his backroom team on 11 August.

Former England coach Terry Venables is expected to be given a role but Alan Shearer has rejected the offer of a coaching spot in the new set-up.

Bill Beswick, McClaren's sports psychology guru and assistant manager at Middlesbrough, is also expected to be given a backroom role.

Beswick left the Teessiders at the end of the season - after their Uefa Cup final defeat by Sevilla.

The futures of England coach Sammy Lee, goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence and England Under-21 boss Peter Taylor also have to be determined.

McClaren will name his first England squad on 12 August for the friendly game against Greece.

Those players will meet up in Manchester on 14 August and McClaren is expected to delay the announcement of his new captain until he has seen
the candidates face-to-face.

Chelsea's John Terry and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard are the front-runners, with Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United the outsiders.

While McClaren was late for his first day in the hot seat, his boss, FA chief executive Brian Barwick arrived earlier than usual having interrupted his holiday to greet the new man.

Barwick said: "It's a new chapter in the life of the England national team.
"I'm looking forward to welcoming Steve and helping him settle. I'm excited. I'm always excited about football."

McClaren will be familiar with his new environment, having worked under Eriksson during the Swede's time in charge.

He has been on the FA payroll for the last five years but has only worked on a part-time basis around matches and never from the FA's Soho Square headquarters.

From : BBC