McClaren recalls Euro ’ 08 horror

Repino, July 10: For Steve McClaren, England’s World Cup semi- final against Croatia brings back painful memories. It was after a match between the two teams more than a decade ago that he was labelled the “Wally with the Brolly”.

In the pouring rain of a November night at Wembley, England slipped to a 3- 2 defeat against a Croatian side who had already secured their place in Austria and Switzerland for Euro 2008, failing to qualify themselves.

The image of McClaren sheltering from the elements under an umbrella came to define the latest in England’s litany of disappointments on the international stage and is one he has failed to shirk in a journeyman coaching career since.

Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic were part of the winning side and have gone on to form the bedrock of a talented midfield that has allowed a country with a population of just over four million to punch above their weight for a decade.

Not a single member of the England squad that night are in Russia after Gareth Southgate put his faith in youth by bringing the third- youngest squad to the tournament.

“There was this FA umbrella lying around so I thought, ‘ I’ll use that, support the FA and keep myself dry!’ McClaren told FourFourTwo magazine earlier this year.

“After thinking I’d get killed for wearing a beanie ( hat), instead I got killed for holding a brolly.”

“Later I went to Holland and at Heracles there is no dugout — just benches with no cover. We had around eight members of staff at Twente and each of them used an umbrella.

“As I came out the team manager asked: ‘ Trainer! Would you like an umbrella?’ I said: ‘ No, I’ll end up looking like a drowned rat on the substitutes’ bench, but I will not have an umbrella’.”