LONDON - Sacked England coach Steve McClaren said his successor will benefit from his failure in the high-profile job.
No matter who eventually gets the job, McClaren feels his dismal reign will actually be a major help.
Ex-England soccer manager Steve McClaren listens to questions at a news conference at a hotel in St. Albans, north of London, November 22, 2007. McClaren took full responsibility on Thursday for England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008 and said being sacked as manager was one of the saddest days of his career. [Agencies] "I believe, one day, we will get it right," said McClaren.
"The next man may have a huge advantage because of what has been a failure.
"It is an advantage that you are starting from a situation where there is only one way to go now.
"The next manager could be in a far better position because the expectations are not that great."
McClaren remains insistent he regrets nothing about his time in charge and feels his management abilities have improved because of the time he spent with England.
But for a mad five minutes in Moscow, he could well still be in a job, which is why he does not feel the 'root and branch' examination of the England set-up promised by FA chairman Geoff Thompson should trigger major changes.
"I believe in evolution, not revolution," he said. "The margins between success and failure at this level are extremely fine and we have seen that over the last few weeks.
"This time we have been the wrong side but I still believe the talent is there."
McClaren intends to take a short break from the game before resuming his management career.
"I still have belief in myself and I believe I can emulate Sven," he said. "I have managed at the top level. I have coached. I have won trophies and I have managed England. That is the ultimate.
"Unfortunately, it didn't work out and I didn't have the success I wanted. But that doesn't mean to say I cannot recover, bounce back and learn and be a better person for it."
However, for all the disappointments and abuse McClaren has suffered during the tortuous last 15 months, he does not believe coaching England is the impossible task many believe it to be.
"There is pressure and maybe there is a lot of expectation," he said.