Soccer: McClaren has no intentions of quitting

England manager Steve McClaren was blaming the conditions for his side's poor display. Photo / Reuters

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LONDON - England manager Steve McClaren said today he would not stand down after his side were beaten 3-2 by Croatia to end their hopes of playing in the Euro 2008 soccer finals.

"No, I have no intention of doing that and also have no intention of discussing my future," McClaren said after England were outclassed by Croatia to finish third in Group E behind the Croatians and Russia.

England have failed to qualify for a major finals for the first time since missing out on the 1994 World Cup under Graham Taylor and McClaren was clearly stunned.

"We thought we were ready and thought we were prepared and we thought it was going to be our night," McClaren said.

"It was a rollercoaster night. We had a bad start and we then we got ourselves back into it but Croatia always looked like scoring.

"To concede three goals at Wembley, I would have doubted that very much before the game.

"I do feel I can do the job but we have to digest it and wonder where it all went wrong...It's too early now to talk about the future, I can't discuss my future."

McClaren blamed the conditions for England's error-riddled display.

"The conditions were not helpful. Croatia relaxed and played their football," he said.

"The surface and the skidiness didn't help us on the first goal but ultimately it's not the time for regrets and hindsight...we lost the game.

"We expected to qualify. That's my job and ultimately we failed. There will be speculation but I'm not discussing it.

"It's a huge disappointment for the fans, they are the big losers in this and that's why I am so down. They were magnificent all through the game."

David Beckham, who came off the bench to earn his 99th cap and create an equaliser that looked to have given England the point they needed, made no excuses.

"As players you know if you don't perform you don't deserve to go through," Beckham said.

"This is a big setback but we have to show the English way, fight back and show we are proud to wear the England shirt."

Asked if McClaren would survive, Beckham said: "I don't know. Players don't make those decisions."

- REUTERS