By Mihir Bose BBC sports editor

McClaren was calm about England's hopes of reaching Euro 2008

England football managers do not normally go out of their way to meet the FA Council, the supreme body of the Football Association.

But I understand that on Wednesday morning, as the council met at the Royal Overseas League in London's West End, Steve McClaren came calling.

With a crucial Euro qualifying match against Israel coming up in March, McClaren was keen to assure his ultimate bosses that the England team are in good heart.

He said all the talk of England players not caring after their defeat in Croatia was a media misunderstanding.

The defeat hurt and the players were distressed.

I am told he explained away the Croatia defeat by saying Croatia away from home is always tough.

Worse in his eyes was the failure to beat Macedonia at Old Trafford.

McClaren also defended Terry Venables, saying he was very much his own choice and was proving very valuable.

McClaren's ambitions evidently still remain high. He told the assembled company that he was determined to bring silverware back to England.

That must mean winning Euro 2008. The councillors it seems felt very reassured and lobbed the gentlest of questions. Israel may prove a tougher proposition.