Steve McClaren sacked as England coach

It never rains it pours. McClaren reflects on England's defeat to Croatia. (AP photo)

England's failure to qualify for the European Championship finals next year has directly led to Steve McClaren being sacked as England's manager. The announcement was made at a news conference in London after the English Football Association board meeting.

Geoff Thompson, Chairman of English Football Association, said, "The F.A. board unanimously decided to terminate the contract of the England head coach Steve McClaren with immediate effect. The board also terminated the contract of the assistant coach, Terry Venables.

The board have agreed there will now be a full root and branch examination of the whole England senior team set up which will begin with immediate effect."

Croatia players celebrate their astonishing victory at Wembley which cost McClaren his job.(AP photo)

McClaren took over from Sven-Goran Eriksson as England's coach after the 2006 World Cup. Despite having two years left on his four-year contract a 3-2 home defeat by Croatia on Wednesday settled McClaren's fate. This is England's first absence from a major tournament since the 1994 World Cup in the US.

Just one point would have given England a place in the finals. But the home crowd were stunned when Croatia soon took a two-goal lead.

Though Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch scored to level the match, all good work came undone as substitute Mladen Petric hit a left-foot drive taking with it all of England's hopes.

The disappointed Steve McClaren(File photo)

Editor:Yang Jie