'Saddest day of my career' - McClaren - Sport in brief

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McClaren was sacked on Thursday morning after England's defeat to Croatia on Wednesday night meant the team missed out on qualification for next summer's Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland.

And McClaren said: "First of all can I say this is one of the saddest days of my career. Eighteen months ago (when he was appointed) was the proudest day of my career and I was honoured to be the England head coach and for 18 months I've enjoyed every minute."

He added: "It is a sad day to have been relieved of my duties but I understand the decision of the FA."

McClaren revealed that the FA's chief executive Brian Barwick informed him of the decision on Thursday morning.

"With regret, unfortunately we didn't qualify and we've come to this situation," he said.

"Brian phoned me this morning at 9.30 and told me after the meeting of the decision. Obviously there's going to be a clamour for a new head coach. The future is the future, all I can do is concentrate on getting over this huge disappointment and looking forward.

"Although it is a sad day I will recover, bounce back and wait for my next challenge. I'm not one to lie on a beach. I believe after 18 months I am a better coach than I was 18 months ago."

McClaren said he accepts responsibility for England's miserable qualifying campaign.

"I'm not making any excuses, we had enough games to do it," he said. "I can't criticise anybody. I said at the beginning it was my responsibility, I would live and die by results and results haven't gone my way."