McClaren, who omitted the Real Madrid midfielder from his squad for recent Euro 2008 qualifiers, has been fiercely criticised after England lost 2-0 to Croatia on Wednesday following a 0-0 draw with Macedonia.

"McClaren maybe thought it was time for a new era and you always try that," Wenger was quoted as saying. "I do not want to add any pressure on him because he had the whole country on his back. I don't think he needs any more.

"But he certainly will analyse the situation and at least he will think about it. Beckham is still technically a very good player."

A report in the Daily Mail said McClaren's publicist Max Clifford had decided to part company since the Croatia defeat.

"It's proving to be a waste of my time and his money," Clifford told the Mail. "All the things we agreed when he approached haven't happened so it's best we call it a day."