STEVE McClaren has been sacked as England coach.His contract, and that of assistant coach Terry Venables, was terminated after a unanimous vote by FA board members this morning.

STEVE McClaren has been sacked as England coach.

His contract, and that of assistant coach Terry Venables, was terminated after a unanimous vote by FA board members this morning.

Geoff Thompson, chair of the FA, said: “Like every England fan we are all bitterly disappointed that we have failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

“I know that Steve McClaren feels that disappointment as much as we do.

“We have no divine right to play in major tournaments but qualification is expected.”

He thanked McClaren for his work in his 18 months as head coach and for the time he spent in his previous job as assistant to Sven Goran Eriksson.

There will now be a review of the England team set-up, led by Brian Barwick.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick will lead the search for the new England boss.

Mr Thompson said there was no definite time frame in which to make an appointment. Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill and former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho are among the favourites to replace McClaren.

The last major tournament for which England failed to qualify was the 1994 World Cup.