FA to decide McClaren future this morning

The Football Association have called an emergency board meeting this morning at which England coach Steve McClaren seems certain to get the sack.

McClaren refused to resign in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday night's 3-2 defeat to Croatia at Wembley, which ended England's hopes of reaching next summer's European Championships.

But, while McClaren also declined to discuss his future, the 12-man FA executive will sit in judgement this morning - and their verdict is not likely to be positive.

It had been reported at the weekend - before England were handed an unexpected reprieve by Israel with their win over Russia - that a seven-three vote had already been taken to remove McClaren from his post.

This has been denied by the FA, although it is difficult to see how a majority of the committee can come down in McClaren's favour, especially as chief executive Brian Barwick and chairman Geoff Thompson do not have a vote.

The members of the committee, including Manchester United chief executive David Gill, Bolton chairman Phil Gartside and Football League chairman Brian Mawhinney will surely find it impossible to back McClaren, whose side were booed off the field at the final whistle.