Football: BBC HAND CRO JOB TO MACCA; EXCLUSIVE.

Byline: By JOHN CROSS

BUNGLING Steve McClaren's first big job as a BBC pundit will be as an "expert" on Croatia - the team that got him sacked as England manager.

McClaren lost twice to Croatia in the Euro 2008 qualifiers but, incredibly, the Wally with the Brolly will be one of BBC Five Live's pundits for their opening game with co-hosts Austria in Vienna on Sunday.

England supporter Mark Burgess said: "There's one way to guarantee fans switching off - get Steve McClaren as their socalled expert. Only the BBC can't see the irony of taking McClaren to the Euros while the rest of us stay at home.

"It comes out of licence fee payers' money and we get a bloke who lost twice to Croatia to be the expert. His knowledge didn't get him very far against them when he was in charge of England."

McClaren is set to earn an estimated pounds 5,000 from the BBC for a month's work during Euro 2008.

Mark Perryman, of the England Fans supporters group, said: "It does strike me as a bit strange to employ someone who has lost to Croatia twice and yet the BBC often employ washed-up managers who have failed.

"Mind you, at least Steve McClaren has had a go. Alan Shearer (above) pontificates and tells people where they are going wrong without ever having managed.

"McClaren will know all about Croatia - having lost to them twice!"

CAPTION(S):

McCLAREN Beeb will pay him to watch Euros