I've failed and paid the price but I'll bounce back, says sacked England boss McClaren

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The former Middlesbrough boss was axed this morning after the 3-2 defeat to Croatia at Wembley meant the country missed out on qualification for Euro 2008.

Taxi for Mr McClaren: the England coach prepares to leave Sopwell House in St Albans this afternoon after a final press conference

He is expected to take a brief holiday as the Football Association start to look for his successor but insisted hewas well supported by players and staff throughout his reign and is ready to listen to offers.

McClaren, who walks away with a £2.5million pay-off, said: "This is one of the saddest days of my carrer. Eighteen months ago was the proudest and I was honoured to be the England head coach.

"All I can concentrate on is getting over this huge disappointment. I will bounce back and recover. I am not one to lie on a beach and believe I am a better manager than I was 18 months ago. I am looking forward to the next challenge."

Flashpoints: Steve McClaren faces the media at Sopwell House this afternoon after being axed by the FA hours earlier

McClaren denied there had been any issues surrounding players' millionaire lifestyles saying: "These are professional footballers who want to play for England.

"All I will say is they are a pleasure to work with, they really want to achieve. Unfortunately we have come up short and we all take responsibility.

"After the disappointment and the criticism we need to get behind our football players."

The former Middlesbrough boss did not shy away from the team's shortcomings during his tenure and admits he came up short.

"I take full responsibility, results haven't gone our way and we haven't qualified and I've paid the price.

Got it in writing: the FA statement confirming the sacking of McClaren

"I learned many things along the way - it has been a great 18 months. I've been proud to have been the England manager."

McClaren refused to be drawn on the review to be undertaken by the FA.

"Whatever the problems I don't think it's for me today - it's a wider issue and a bigger issue. I'm sure I'll speak to Brian on that issue.

"I want England to achieve. I've been working with these players for six years and I'm as disappointed as anyone we have not qualified.

The newspaper backpages herald the end of Steve McClaren

Earlier, Brian Barwick insisted he had no regrets over the decision to appoint McClaren, who is statistically England's worst-ever manager.

The Yorkshireman was given the job by the FA on the recommendation of chief executive Barwick. There have been calls for Barwick to follow McClaren out of Soho Square.

But the FA have instead taken the extraordinary step of strengthening the former TV executive's position by putting him in charge of the search for McClaren's successor.

An emergency meeting of the FA board ended at 10am with a statement from chairman Geoff Thompson announcing that both McClaren and his assistant Terry Venables' contracts had been terminated.

Missed chance: Steve McClaren watches his Euro 2008 hopes and his job slip away as England lose 3-2 to Croatia at Wembley

Barwick said: "I've spoken to Steve this morning. We've had many grown-up conversations and I wish him well. He's put in a lot of hard work but in the end, not qualifying for Euro 2008 comes up short.

"I do not regret his appointment. I think he has tried very hard."

As a result of today's FA meeting it looks certain the interviewing procedure will be abandoned and Barwick will head-hunt the man he wants.

It is understood there is no pressure on him to appoint an English coach but Barwick said: "We're determined to get the right man."

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is favourite for the job. Thompson, meanwhile, said there would be a "full examination of the whole England team set-up, which will begin with immediate effect", also led by Barwick.