Newcastle's Owen: England job tougher than Premiership

Michael Owen believes coaching England is a far harder task than any club job he can think of.

The Football Association know they will come under intense pressure to ditch Steve McClaren after only 18 games should Euro 2008 fates not smile on the Three Lions over the weekend.

And while Owen is one of those who feels McClaren should remain in a job no matter what happens, he accepts the massive pressure which accompanies the £3million-a-year role.

"It is probably harder to manage England than any club," said the 27-year-old forward.

"There is a lot of pressure involved and because the manager doesn't get to see the players as often as they would at club level, if you have a bad result, you have to live with it for a month or two, which must be really hard.

"If you have a good game, everything is great, if you don't you get criticised. I always feel like I can never relax but that is especially the case for Steve."