BBC pick 'brolly wally' McClaren as 'expert' pundit for Euro tie on Croatia

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McClaren lost twice to Croatia in the Euro 2008 qualifiers but, incredibly, McClaren will be one of BBC Five Live's pundits for their opening game with co-hosts Austria in Vienna on Sunday.

England supporter Mark Burgess told the Daily Mirror: "There's one way to guarantee fans switching off - get Steve McClaren as their so-called expert.

'Expert view': Steve McClaren, England manager is the Wally under the Brolly as England crash out of Euro 2008 in the qualifiers

Only the BBC can't see the irony of taking McClaren to the Euros while the rest of us stay at home.

"It comes out of licence fee payers' money and we get a bloke who lost twice to Croatia to be the expert. His knowledge didn't get him very far against them when he was in charge of England."

McClaren is set to earn an estimated £5,000 from the BBC for a month's work during Euro 2008.

Mark Perryman, of the England Fans supporters group, said: "It does strike me as a bit strange to employ someone who has lost to Croatia twice and yet the BBC often employ washed-up managers who have failed.

"Mind you, at least Steve McClaren has had a go. Alan Shearer (above) pontificates and tells people where they are going wrong without ever having managed.

"McClaren will know all about Croatia - having lost to them twice!"