Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren has been unveiled as the new England head coach by The FA on Thursday, leaving the door open at The Riverside for a new manager.

The Boro boss was announced as Sven Goran Eriksson's successor in a press conference at The FA headquarters in London’s Soho Square by FA chief Brian Barwick on Thursday afternoon.

McClaren has been involved with the England squad for a total of over four years, having started with the England team in October 2000 and, apart from a break of one-and-a-half years from October 2002, has been participating first-hand in the Three Lions' team set-up.

McClaren, who has guided Boro to the UEFA Cup final this season, will now be leaving his post at the Premiership side. This will now leave the post of Middlesbrough manager open with, yet again, countless candidates being touted to take over at The Riverside for the next Premiership season.

After his appointment on Thursday, The FA released the following statement:

The FA can today confirm that Steve McClaren will be the next England Head Coach. He will take up his new role from 1 August on a four-year contract.
McClaren was selected by the nominations committee composed of FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick, FA Chairman Geoff Thompson, Dave Richards, Noel White and David Dein, with Sir Trevor Brooking in an advisory role. The appointment was unanimously agreed by today’s FA Board meeting.

McClaren has been part of the England set-up since October 2000 as Assistant Coach to Sven-Goran Eriksson, excluding a period between October 2002 and May 2004.

He was part of the coaching team at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan and Euro 2004 in Portugal, and will also be in Germany with England this summer.

He combined this role with his position as manager of Middlesbrough FC, which he has held since the summer of 2001. During this time he led the club to their first major honour, the Carling Cup in 2004, and next week’s UEFA Cup Final against Sevilla.

McClaren said: “This is the biggest honour that any coach can have, and is obviously the highlight of my career. It’s a massive challenge and one that I welcome. I have hugely enjoyed my time at Middlesbrough and am very grateful to the club.

“However, this was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. My immediate priority is next week’s UEFA Cup Final with Boro, and then working with Sven and his coaching team to achieve success in Germany this summer, before I turn my thoughts to the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.”

Brian Barwick said: “I’m delighted to be able to announce Steve’s appointment today. He has shown himself to be a top-class coach for both country and club, leading Middlesbrough to the most successful period in the club’s history. He is the only current English manager in the Premiership to have won a major trophy.

“Steve is highly-respected within the game, has a wealth of international experience and ensures continuity within the England team set-up. I would also like to express my gratitude to Middlesbrough FC, and the other candidates and clubs involved, for their co-operation throughout this process.”

FA Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking added: “I’m delighted that Steve will be the next England Head Coach. His appointment is great news for England and also for the English game long-term, underlining confidence in English coaching.

“His first priority will be success with the England senior team, but as a holder of the UEFA Pro Licence he will also play an integral part in The FA’s coach development programme. He has shown at Middlesbrough that he is innovative and committed to bringing through talented young English players and giving them their chance at the top level.”

Sven-Goran Eriksson added: “I’m obviously very pleased for Steve, but also for the England team. I have worked closely with Steve ever since I came to England and know how good a coach he is. He is well-liked and well-respected by the players and staff. I have no doubt that he has all the credentials to be very successful in the job and wish him all the best.

“I said that I didn’t want the next England coach to be with the team at the World Cup, unless he was already involved in the set-up. Steve is a key part of my coaching staff and I’m delighted to have him with us in Germany.”