Ex-England gaffer finds relative anonymity at Euro 2008

Steve McClaren, who is being paid with your license fee money to attend Euro 2008 for BBC Radio, is one of the most recognised red faces in English football. But as our lazy boys decided they fancied the Caribbean this summer, the former England manager has found he’s no different to any of the other press hacks assembled at Euro 2008. When he went to pick up his media accreditation last week, Mr McClaren ran into a rather awkward situation:

The UEFA official looked up at McClaren and said “I’m sure I recognise you”, before pausing and adding, “Oh, that’s right, didn’t you use to manage Ireland?”

The UEFA doofus was probably thinking of somewhat maligned ex-Ireland boss Steve Staunton when he made the faux pas, and it’s hard to know who should feel more insulted in this situation.

Actually no, it’s quite easy - Staunton should feel more insulted.

[Irish Independent]

The Spoiler assesses the favoured candidates in the race for power at Ewood Park

The Chelsea vacancy has seen the biggest names in football linked with a move to the Premier League, while the Blackburn job has seen some less glamorous hats thrown into the ring. According to their chairman, there have been over 40 applications, although most of them were probably cocky twenty-somethings who fancy themselves on Championship Manager.

After the appointments of Graeme Souness and Mark Hughes proved big successes, the Blackburn board have gained a reputation for making savvy appointments. Surely they’re not going to risk all that on Alan Shearer?

The Blackburn Managerial Candidates

Sam Allardyce - 7/4
The Blackburn board like to emphasise the buzzword ’stability’, and this is something that Allardyce has proven he can deliver at Bolton, where he exceeded this with European qualification and a League Cup Final appearance. His reputation for drab, hoof-it-up football is the main deterrent to appointing him.
Verdict: Appears a perfect match

Alan Shearer - 15/8
Was the star player of the greatest season in Blackburn’s history when they won the Premier League in 1995, and has made it clear he would be interested in becoming a manager. His dream job is clearly Newcastle though and Blackburn may not appreciate being used as a stepping stone once more. Shearer has apparently expressed doubts that Blackburn is the right starting point for him.
Verdict: Would be risky business

Paul Ince -9/2
He engineered a great escape with Macclesfield in his first season as a manager before moving to Franchise FC and winning them the title and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. The only problem is that these achievements occurred with an (immoral, soulless) League Two side - his success may not translate if he mixed it up with the big boys.

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According to the man who ruined England

Steve McClaren has been relatively quiet since he cancelled summer 2008, but the orange one has piped up this week in order to criticise David Beckham’s move to the States:

“David has gone from Real Madrid to a club in America where

Old manager resurfaces - be afraid Newcastle fans! Thursday, 3.30pm: Former England manager and dreamwrecker Steve McClaren alone in the bar of London’s Soho Hotel. He’s been there for a while and every so often badgers the staff in a “Where’s the person I’m supposed to be meeting?” kind of way.

4 pm update: McClaren started eating (at 4 o’clock!) with a man who looked like a ‘young Richard Nixon’, possibly an agent. The orange one went for a pasta-type dish and was seated in an otherwise empty dining section of the hotel. He looked extremely nervous, yet despite his shifty demeanour, he had chosen a table in plain view of the large glass entrance door .

Unfortunately for someone, he had