Euro 2008 Qualifiers: Mcclaren: I Won't Be Forced Out

Steve McClaren has reiterated that he will not consider resigning as England's manager after their disappointing performances in the qualifying campaign for next year's European Championship. McClaren also insisted he had "emerged stronger" after being targeted for sustained abuse by England's supporters during the 3-0 victory over Andorra in Barcelona.

McClaren admitted he was taken aback by the hostility but he has received assurances from the Football Association that he retains its backing and said he would not allow "a hateful mob" to drive him out. "I have work to do and I'm not leaving until I've done it," he said.

McClaren will deliver a similarly bullish message when he reports to the FA's international committee. His position has been openly debated among the 11 committee members - at least two are believed to have significant misgivings about his ability to turn the job around - but McClaren has received the backing of the FA's chief executive Brian Barwick.

McClaren has been encouraged by the response of his captain, John Terry, and senior players such as Steven Gerrard and Owen Hargreaves. "When I got the players together at half-time I impressed on them that if things went wrong it would be me who took the stick," said McClaren. "I told them I could handle it, so they should go out, forget the atmosphere in the stadium and do their best to win."