McClaren will remain in charge until Croatia clash, insists FA chief

England now need Israel to deny Russia victory on November 17 to bring qualification back into their hands for their final game against Croatia four days later.

Asked if the FA would continue to back McClaren amid a fresh tide of criticism, Barwick said: "Let's keep 'crisis' in perspective. Steve's job is to make sure he gets his players ready for the Croatia game and the Austria friendly before it, and that's where we are.

"We have to now look to other teams to do a favour for us, but equally we have to concentrate on the game we have."

The 2-1 defeat to Russia in Moscow on Wednesday night means England need to beat group leaders Croatia at Wembley if they are to stand any chance of making next summer's finals. They will hope Israel deny Russia victory in Tel Aviv four days earlier with Guus Hiddink's side travelling to Andorra for their final game.

Barwick said: "We are disappointed, of course, because we would have loved to have got what we needed to get out of it, and for nearly 70 minutes, it looked like we were going to do that.

"We reflect on, in the end, a disappointing result, but we are still in the chase for qualification. It is now out of our hands and we are looking for other countries to do some work on our behalf.

"November 17 becomes a big day. Even though we are not playing, Israel play Russia and that's a big game.

"If Israel can take some type of result out of Russia, then we have got our job to do against Croatia.

"Our job is to concentrate on England v Croatia and make sure that when we play Croatia, we are ready to beat them."

Sven-Goran Eriksson called on the Football Association to keep faith with McClaren - even if England fail to qualify for Euro 2008.

McClaren succeeded Eriksson as England coach after a number of years as his assistant, and the Manchester City manager believes his old team were unlucky to be beaten by Russia last night.

"Of course, I hope he will keep his job," said the Swede.

"I think England still have a possibility of qualifying - and I hope that they will.

"Steve is my friend; I've known him for many years and worked with him for five-and-a-half years and I feel sorry for him.

"It looked very good; I think England played very well and I am as disappointed as anyone.

"I don't think England deserved to lose. They played well and should have at least had a draw."

Eriksson accepts, however, that managers must accept they will get the blame if results do not go well.

He added: "I know that rather well! But that's life in football, and I think it's the same in every country.

"You cannot sack 22 players and you cannot sack the owner or chairman of a club. So who is sitting there? The manager.

"That's life, and you have to live with it and accept it for what it is."