Middlesbrough coach Steve McClaren has been named the next England manager, succeeding Sven Goran Eriksson who will depart after the World Cup finals in Germany, the English Football Association (FA) announced on Thursday. "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," McClaren was quoted as saying by the FA official website. "I have hugely enjoyed my time at Middlesbrough and am very grateful to the club. However, this was an opportunity I couldn't refuse," he added. The FA has been looking for a replacement to current England manager Eriksson, who announced that he will step down after this summer's World Cup finals. Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari appeared to be in pole position to become England's manager recently, but he turned down the opportunity due to the British media intrusion in his private life. McClaren, who is currently Eriksson's assistant coach, has signed a four-year deal starting on the first of August. "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," he said. McClaren guided Middlesbrough to their first ever trophy when they won the Carling Cup in 2004 and he led them to the UEFA Cup final against Spanish side Sevilla this season.
