By DPA
London : England coach Steve McClaren vowed late Wednesday that he will not quit despite his side’s failure to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals after their 2-3 defeat at home to Croatia.
Needing just one point to seal their progress from group E, England hit back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2, only for a late winner to give Croatia victory and end England’s hopes.
When asked if he would resign, McClaren said: “No, I have no intention of doing that.”
With the Football Association due to meet Thursday morning to discuss his future, McClaren conceded that the buck stops with him.
“I’m not stepping down. I take responsibility – it was my job to get us qualified, and I failed to do it,” he said. “I’m not discussing my future.”
McClaren said he sympathized with the feeling of the fans.
“We feel exactly the same as the fans, believe you me. We know how they are feeling. I’m not looking to the future. I’m thinking about this game – what could have been, what wasn’t, and really how we get over this,” he said.
“Obviously, it’s not for me to decide. I’m not discussing anything at this present moment.”
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic said that McClaren’s tactics were not the problem.
“Wake up. You didn’t lose the game tonight because of the tactics,” Bilic said. “We are simply a better team. I admire your team and your players, but my team is a much better team.”