Macca's the man

Boro boss Steve McClaren has been unveiled as the next England manager.

"This is the biggest honour that any coach can have, and is obviously the highlight of my career," he said.

"It's a massive challenge and one that I welcome. I have hugely enjoyed my time at Middlesbrough and am very grateful to the club. However, this was an opportunity I couldn't refuse."

"My immediate priority is next week's Uefa Cup Final with Boro, and then working with Sven and his coaching team to achieve success in Germany this summer, before I turn my thoughts to the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign."

Tabloid reports also reckon that Gareth Southgate has his beady eye on McClaren's Middlesbrough job. Watch this space.

Meanwhile, more Rooney news...

The Daily Star - reliable publication that it is - declares: "I'll take Roo just for Final," above a snap of a concerned looking Sven.

But the Mirror pleads with the hobbling striker: "Switch your phone on Roo."

Apparently Sven hasn't managed to get in touch with Wayne because his mobile is always switched off. And to think, our World Cup destiny is in the hands of these clowns.

The Star is the first rag to finally get its head round the fact that Rooney is pretty much definitely out of the picture. In a tiny box on the back page, the rag dares to whisper: "We can still win it without Wayne."

Don't go shouting that, though. It almost sounds like optimism.