 Smith (r) made McClaren his right-hand man at Derby in the 90s |
Steve McClaren's former mentor Jim Smith has warned the Middlesbrough boss against becoming England manager. Smith, currently Oxford United boss, gave McClaren his break in management when he recruited him as first-team coach at Derby County in 1995.
But Smith, 65, thinks his ex-pupil will suffer as his predecessors have from pressure at the hands of the media.
Smith told BBC Sport: "I've spoken to him and advised him not to take it, but he doesn't listen to me nowadays."
Smith added: "I said to him, 'I don't know what you're doing wanting it because you've already seen that you tend to get on the front pages as well as the back pages'."
 |  He deals with the media very well. He's a bright, astute young man and I'm sure he'd do well (as England manager) |
Media intrusion has already forced Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari to withdraw from the running.
The Portuguese coach was the Football Association's first choice but pulled out after becoming upset by the frenzy that was created when his name was heavily linked with the position.
Middlesbrough boss McClaren - who is 45 on Wednesday - knows what it feels like to appear on the front pages of the national press.
At the weekend, one tabloid newspaper revealed details of a three-month affair with a secretary during a trial separation from his wife.
However, Smith, who spent four years working with McClaren, feels that should he become the next England manager he has certain attributes that will see him succeed.
Smith said: "He's a bright, astute young man and I'm sure he'd do well."
McClaren, who left Smith to join forces with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in their treble-winning year in 1999, is odds-on favourite to replace Eriksson following Scolari's withdrawal.
But Smith, now in his second spell at Oxford United, says his former aid would not have been his first choice for the role.
Smith would have preferred Guus Hiddink to succeed Eriksson, but the Dutchman has announced he will manage Russia after his commitments with Australia come to an end after the World Cup in Germany.
MMIX
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