WE love to see the North-East promoted around the world, so we are delighted that the manager of one of the region's football clubs has become the manager of England.

A few months ago, Steve McClaren's world appeared to be falling apart. During a humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa, which left Middlesbrough in danger of relegation, an embittered fan ran the length of the pitch to throw his season ticket in McClaren's face.

Suggestions then that he would be named England's head coach and lead out Middlesbrough in a major European Cup final - all within a week - would have been as unlikely as Tony Blair enjoying a cracking night for Labour at the local elections.

But somehow, McClaren has turned his fortunes round and we wish him well on two fronts. We hope that he and his Boro team bring home the UEFA Cup next week, and that he finds a way to survive the poisoned chalice of the England position.

Even before he takes over, the negativity has started, with surveys suggesting that he is an unpopular choice among fans.

If England fail in this summer's World Cup, his position as Sven's assistant will ensure that the knives are being sharpened before he has taken charge of his first game.

That is the FA's responsibility and it is hard to understand the logic of their timing.

Let us hope that it doesn't backfire and that Steve McClaren is given the fair crack of the whip that he deserves.