Blatter welcomes McClaren appointment

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has welcomed the appointment of Steve McClaren as new England head coach, saying it was right for the Football Association to “return to their origins”.

Blatter had been critical of the FA’s pursuit of Brazilian Luis Felipe Scolari, saying the big football nations should appoint coaches from their own country.

McClaren has now been confirmed as Sven-Goran Eriksson’s successor after Scolari pulled out of the running and Blatter believes the right result has been reached.

He said: “I’m pleased that the FA have returned to their origins and appointed an Englishman – it’s good for the game in England.

“Now the England team can go to the World Cup with the future decided and even if they do not have Wayne Rooney they should still be seen as one of the favourites.”

Meanwhile, Blatter believes the growing power of the leagues could threaten the long-term future of football.

The FIFA president has been shown a blueprint the Premier League provided to the South African league advising them on how to become independent of their football association.

He also wants the FA to take a tougher line in protecting football’s wider interests.

Blatter said: “The rich will take out the best and will leave the football family. They could follow the example of the American professional leagues or boxing organisations with different entities who all claim to be the world champion.

“This is dangerous, it threatens football’s pyramidal structure which says leagues should be subordinated to the national associations. It is up to the national associations to now show more leadership.”