Macca Has No England Regrets

[Pucko]

Steve McClaren insists he has "no regrets" about anything he did as England coach, despite failing to steer them to the Euro 2008 finals.

McClaren's shambolic tenure was littered with indecision over his preferred formation and starting XI.

And his reputation was left in tatters after he picked rookie goalkeeper Scott Carson for England's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier with Croatia at Wembley, where the on-loan Aston Villa goalkeeper's clanger set up the visitors' 3-2 victory.

The defeat by Slaven Bilic's troops in November signalled the end of his unsuccessful 18-month reign.

But McClaren told Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "I have no regrets from anything I did with England. It did not work out.

"Working with players was the key thing for me. That was my joy in the job.

"The realisation it was going to end was a great sadness for me.

"I worked with England for six-and-a-half years as a coach under Sven (Goran Eriksson). I had many good times and have great memories."

The former Middlesbrough boss admits he knew the axe was inevitable after the Croatia loss, adding: "My job was to qualify and we failed to do so. It was a huge disappointment for everyone involved, especially the fans.

"I thought it would go down to the last two games. We put ourselves in pole position in both matches but failed to deliver.

"I really did not expect to lose (against Croatia) and concede three goals."