And the whole country is hoping that he ticks two of the three boxes as the national side look to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals.
There seems little doubt that he has had his share of good fortune in the past few months, even if injuries have robbed him of key players.
The return of Emile Heskey was forced on him but turned out to be a 'masterstroke' as he linked superbly with Michael Owen.
And while Frank Lampard was unavailable, Gareth Barry came in and did well with Steven Gerrard, but will the coach spot that?
His biggest slice of luck came on Saturday evening in the dying seconds of Russia's game at Israel.
With the sides drawing 1-1 - a result that would have been enough to keep English hopes alive - Russia's Dmitri Sychev fired goalwards.
The ball somehow came back off the post and within a couple of minutes Israel, who had been out on their feet as they repelled wave after wave of Russian attacks, had scored through Omer Golan to secure a famous win.
From potential elimination, England now only have to draw with a Croatian side that has already qualified for the finals to ensure their participation in Austria and Switzerland.
I say only, but without the correct guidance from the bench it will be no easy task.
After all, Israel had nothing to play for at the weekend yet still pulled a remarkable win out of the bag.
Who's to say that Croatia will not arrive in London and play as they undoubtedly can, without the pressure of a side that has to get something from the game?
McClaren knows that his side cannot risk going out for a draw, but he is also lacking the strikeforce he would surely have chosen if Owen and Wayne Rooney had been fit and without either Rio Ferdinand or John Terry who have been his first choice centre backs throughout his reign.
Will he play five in midfield, or go with Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe as his two strikers?
And his defence could be four from any number of players who are all much of a muchness for their clubs.
McClaren can really earn his corn over the next 24 hours or so as the final touches are put on the side that eventually take to the field.
Let's hope he is as good at his job as those who appointed him really believed at the time.
But above all, let's hope his luck holds out.

NORTHERN Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has called for striker David Healy to be recognised for his incredible goalscoring feats in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
And there is little doubt that his achievement in scoring 13 of his side's 17 goals is a little bit special and his strike at the weekend against Denmark broke the previous record held by Davor Sukur.
Healy has had the benefit of facing the likes of Liechtenstein, Iceland and Latvia, and has clearly taken full advantage.
But he bagged a hat-trick against Spain in a remarkable win for the Irish and has the chance to add to his tally in Las Palmas tomorrow evening.
Leeds United fans must be wondering why they appeared to have had his less prolific twin brother in their ranks a season or two ago.