SVEN-Goran Eriksson last night insisted that Steve McClaren was the right man to succeed him as manager of England.

The Middlesbrough boss was officially unveiled at Soho Square yesterday despite a succession of polls showing the majority of England fans were against his appointment.

Even the Football Association's six-man Nominations Panel seemed reluctant to install the 45-year-old, with chief executive Brian Barwick meeting Luiz Felipe Scolari last week in an attempt to persuade the Brazilian to take the post.

But, despite a groundswell of opinion against the Yorkshireman, Eriksson has claimed his current right-hand man boasts all the credentials needed to be a successful international manager.

And after confirming McClaren would continue to be at his side during this summer's World Cup, the Swede wished him every success in the future.

"I have worked closely with Steve ever since I came to England and know how good a coach he is," said Eriksson.

"I said that I didn't want the next England coach to be with the team at the World Cup, unless he was already involved in the set-up.

"Steve has a knowledge of the staff and of the players so I hope he does well because it's not an easy job. Steve is a key part of my coaching staff and I am delighted to have him with us in Germany.

"I have no doubt that he has all the credentials to be very successful in the job and wish him all the best."

Sir Alex Ferguson, McClaren's mentor at Old Trafford, also backed the Boro boss' appointment at Soho Square.

The pair worked together for more than two years in Manchester, a period in which United became European champions courtesy of a thrilling Champions League final win over Bayern Munich.

"I think it is a good appointment," said Ferguson, who has suffered at the hands of McClaren on a number of occasions since he allowed his former assistant to move to the Riverside in 2001. "He knows the England players and has had a good apprenticeship.

"He has won the League Cup and, hopefully, he can also win the UEFA Cup next week.

"England have a good set of players, an experienced backroom staff and Steve knows all that.

"He has a knowledge of the staff and the players, so I hope he does well because it's not an easy job. Steve has shown at Middlesbrough that he is innovative and committed to bringing through talented young English players and giving them a chance at the top level.

"He's always been one who has had visions for developing things. When he was at Derby and I spoke to two or three people who had worked under him, they said that he is a very progressive coach and that's what I found with him."

The path to McClaren's appointment was long and controversial, with the FA coming in for persistent criticism from influential figures such as the League Managers Association chief executive John Barnwell.

Barnwell, who was a constant critic of the possibility of a foreigner leading the England side, has urged the public to push aside any doubts over the Boro boss' suitability for the role.

"Now the decision is made it is time for everyone to get behind Steve and start focusing on the more immediate task of trying to bring success to England through the World Cup," he said.

"If the FA had appointed another foreign coach, they would effectively have been saying they did not feel the English coaches and managers were good enough.

"It would have been a damning indictment of their own education and licensing process. This is about the FA meeting their own responsibilities and obligations to the English game."

Barnwell's view was echoed by Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor who said he believed McClaren was the right man for the job.

"Steve McClaren has got the most experience without a shadow of a doubt," said Taylor. "He has international club experience, which he got at Manchester United.

"The only worry is that the FA might have made themselves hostages to fortune because if things don't go well during the World Cup there may be a clamour for change."

News of McClaren's appointment was greeted with a mixture of pride and disappointment at Boro.

"We're grateful to Steve for all that he has achieved with Middlesbrough over the past five years," said chief executive Keith Lamb. "He has helped to bring us our first major silverware, which will hopefully be topped next Wednesday night.''