England have failed to qualify for a leading tournament finals for the first time since the 1994 World Cup in the United States. Here is where Steve McClaren’s team went wrong . . .

England 0 Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 0, Oct 7, 2006

An easy win over Andorra and a nervy victory in Skopje had got England off to a solid start, but these two crucial dropped points were the start of a horrible run of form. McClaren, his honeymoon period as head coach now over, watched in disbelief as his team failed to overrun the Balkan nation as expected in front of a packed Old Trafford, with Steven Gerrard’s strike against the bar the closest they came.

Croatia 2 England 0, Oct 11, 2006

Expert View

English football has to be better than this; and, when it is not, the man in charge knows what to expect

Martin Samuel

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BACKGROUND

• McClaren sacked as England coach

• Dismissal is no compensation for England fans

• Jitters destroy England’s composure

• Turnip or terrific? Fans give answer to McClaren

BACKGROUND

• How England rated

• If O’Neill says no, will the FA call Klinsmann?

• Terry defends man in charge

• Why England will be sorely missed in finals

BACKGROUND

• Let’s not just blame the team, blame the Americans too

• Good riddance to fear factors

• Echoes of Bogota as Croatia official is accused of shoplifting

• Seven deadly sins

BACKGROUND

• McClaren: the buck stops with me

• Analysis: Gabriele Marcotti

• 'Not even prepared to get his hair wet!' - the fans' verdict

• Barwick: McClaren had to go

BACKGROUND

• England's qualifying horrors

Multimedia

• England fans: let off steam here

• How the drama unfolded

• Is McClaren a scapegoat?

Multimedia

• What you should do next summer

Things went from bad to worse in Zagreb four days later when Eduardo da Silva’s header and Gary Neville’s comical own goal, after Paul Robinson’s infamous air kick, condemned a woeful England to a first defeat in the group. For the first time, McClaren’s position came under serious scrutiny after he employed an unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation that failed in just about every manner conceivable.

Israel 0 England 0, March 24, 2007

The pressure built after another below-par showing in Tel Aviv. Jamie Carragher headed against the bar, but McClaren’s men failed to dominate as expected. The travelling fans turned on the England head coach and his team because hopes of qualification were fading fast.

Andorra 0 England 3, March 28, 2007

Played out amid a poisonous atmosphere at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, England failed to find the net in a dreadful first half that ended with McClaren’s side jeered off the field at the break. Gerrard took control and scored a brace in the second half, with David Nugent adding a late third on his debut — but it felt like a hollow victory at the final whistle and the jury was still out on the head coach.

Russia 2 England 1, Oct 17, 2007

After four further 3-0 wins, the Three Lions needed only a point to keep themselves in pole position for qualification and were seemingly cruising after Wayne Rooney’s classy volley put them ahead. But Gerrard missed a sitter before Roman Pavlyuchenko, the substitute, scored twice to leave England in the mire.

Austria 0 England 1, Nov 16, 2007

A friendly in Vienna proves costly as Michael Owen is substituted with a thigh strain and ruled out of the final group game.

England 2 Croatia 3, Nov 21, 2007

After Israel’s incredible win over Russia had put qualification back in England’s hands, Niko Kranjcar’s speculative, long-range effort slipped past the slow-moving Scott Carson before Ivica Olic got in behind the England defence to make it 2-0 within 15 minutes. Frank Lampard’s penalty and Peter Crouch’s brilliant finish levelled the match after the break, but Mladen Petric hit a long-range winner to break English hearts and signal the likely end for McClaren.