Steve McClaren rules himself out of FA technical director reckoning

Former England manager Steve McClaren has no intention of becoming the Football Association's new technical director.

The FA confirmed yesterday that they are to appoint a technical director for the first time in 10 years to head up operations at the new national football centre at St George's Park, near Burton.

McClaren, 50, has already been strongly linked, following a coaching career that has seen him manage in England and on the continent, but today revealed the position did not interest him.

McClaren, who returned to manage Dutch side FC Twente earlier this year, told De Telegraaf: "Absolute nonsense, I don't have the ambition to fulfil an office job.

"Maybe in 10 years, but certainly not now".

McClaren won the Eredivisie title with FC Twente two seasons ago to help repair some of his reputation following the damage of England's unsuccessful Euro 2008 qualification campaign.

The former Middlesbrough boss subsequently endured brief and unsuccessful stints at German side Wolfsburg before lasting only a few months at npower Championship side Nottingham Forest at the start of this season.

His return to Twente has, however, helped inspire another title challenge in Holland.

The new technical director will work alongside Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's director of football development, and lead the drive to make St George's Park a centre of excellence for coaches.

Alex Horne, the FA's general secretary, said yesterday: "The role of technical director will be crucial as we continue to strive towards improving the technical ability and knowledge of our players and coaches both now and in the future."

The new technical director will have to have a UEFA Pro Licence or the equivalent and is part of the FA's drive to raise the standards of football at both elite and grassroots level.

St George's Park will also have the latest sports science and medical facilities and the new position will work with maximising the influence of cutting-edge developments in the game.

The successful candidate will also work with Premier League and Football League representatives on the new Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP). The EPPP is aimed at boosting the chance of domestic talent breaking through into first-team football and will rank club academies to determine their funding levels.

There has been opposition to the EPPP from some Football League clubs who believe they will get less compensation for talented young players who come through their ranks.

PA