Venables had England job doubts

Venables, 63, was England boss for two-and-a-half years until the end of Euro 96 and also had spells as a club boss, including a stint at Barcelona.

He told the Mail on Sunday: "I didn't think I could do the job because it was going to be frustrating for me.

"I had been a decision-maker for 30 years. Steve said to give it a go."

Venables, who was brought in by McClaren in August, added: "I will be happy to do that for a period of time to see if we do get on.

"Basically, that's where we are now."

England have made an uncertain start to their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign under McClaren and Venables.

England are third in Group E, three points behind leaders Croatia and a point behind Russia.

McClaren denied a rift with Venables following the October qualifying defeat by Croatia - after which the two men reportedly gave different reasons why Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing had been dropped for the game.

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