Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has launched a scathing attack on David Dein's role in the saga which unfolded before Steve McClaren's appointment as England manager.

Dein, the Arsenal and Football Association vice chairman, argued vocally for the appointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari after Boro had been informed that McClaren was leading the way in the race to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The Brazilian's withdrawal opened the door once again for the Englishman, but Gibson cannot understand why, if highly-qualified foreign coaches were being considered, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was not pursued more vigorously.

The Boro chairman said: "How someone like David Dein can be kingmaker, I don't know. The FA is there for the good of English football, but was Arsene Wenger interviewed? Why was he protected? How many England internationals are there from Arsenal? And yet he presents us with a Brazilian living and working in Portugal."

Gibson too was critical of the lengthy selection process, which left him waiting to see whether he would have to find a new manager five years after taking a gamble on Manchester United's former number two.

"It has taken so long," said Gibson. "Has it damaged our football club? Definitely. If he hadn't got the job, I couldn't actually replace him. So how do I recruit? The process was far too long and I don't quite understand whether the process is right."

For all his misgivings about the way McClaren eventually landed his dream job, Gibson has few doubts about his ability to succeed in it.

Gibson said: "I am disappointed to be losing him, but this was his first job in management so this club has contributed to the England cause and I am very happy for Steve and for us."