And so it begins. Sven "Mr. Burns" Eriksson has gone, and a new man with a bizarre balding head of hair has taken over. The colour may be different but the message is still the same: "Yes I’ve lost some hair, but I’m not bald!" The former Middlesbrough boss started his reign today and promised changes right from the start.

"I'm very excited and can't wait to get started. Looking to the future, I will look to make a few changes and freshen a few things up," said McClaren, 45.

"It's going to be different from Sven, totally different. I'm going to do it my way. I will be judged on what I do."

And on being asked as to who will replace David Beckham as captain, McClaren said: "Individuals and smaller details we'll get to later on."

McClaren was named as manager in May and was Eriksson's right-hand man at the World Cup in Germany.

Following England's defeat to Portugal in the quarter-finals he took a two-week break in Mauritius during which he admitted to growing impatient at the prospect of becoming national coach.

"It really hit home when I was appointed, at that press conference, but the period since then has been a bit of a vacuum," he added.

"I've been itching to get at the job and I'm delighted that period is over now.

"You have to assess the players first of all, and to have a good relationship with the clubs, so we will be speaking to their management, coaching staff and medical staff.

"The aim is to try to bring the whole nation closer together, to bring the England team closer to the clubs and the fans.

"The fans, as we've seen, are fantastic and we have to build a team that can achieve something and give the fans something to be proud of." (BBC Sport).

Overseeing preparations for a friendly against Greece on 16 August will be among McClaren's first duties and he is set to watch Manchester United and Tottenham in pre-season action.

I’m not convinced he’s the right man but one thing is for sure he’ll show more passion than Sven. And maybe that’s what these lads need. Someone to give them a ear full at half time. At least then they know where they stand. Good luck Steve, I hope it works out, I really do.