England's Cup prospects look bleak sans Keegan

England's Cup prospects look bleak sans Keegan
Adrian warner

london, october 9: Beleaguered England, struggling to live up to their prestigious role as the National team of soccer's birthplace, faced many questions about their future on Monday after the sudden departure of coach Kevin Keegan.

Keegan threw in the towel after England's last game under Wembley's twin towers ended in a 1-0 defeat by Germany in the opening match of their 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Wembley, which is to be demolished and rebuilt by 2004, witnessed England's finest hour 34 years ago when the Germans were beaten 4-2 in the 1966 World Cup final.

But England have not won a major trophy since and, despite boasting one of the most competitive domestic leagues, are now struggling to make an impact on the world game.

On Saturday the 77-year-old stadium was the scene of drama when Keegan resigned in the dressing room moments after the final whistle. England face another qualifer against Finland in Helsinki on Wednesday.

Caretaker coach Howard Wilkinson, called in to help England in a crisis for the second time in 20 months, will guide the team through their preparations for the Helsinki game.

But the former Leeds United manager, who also took the reins in February 1999 after Glenn Hoddle was sacked, admits he was shocked by the former Liverpool player's decision to quit so early in the campaign.``I was very, very shocked and saddened when I heard and saw what was happening,'' Wilkinson said.

``Kevin's resignation has brought to an end, probably prematurely, a coaching career with the international side that no one at the game envisaged.

``It was the first game in a qualifying campaign, having qualified the last time round from a position that was worse than the position we are in at the moment with less games to go.''Keegan had steered England to the European Championship finals earlier this year after a poor start to their qualifying campaign under Hoddle. But, despite a rare victory over the Germans at the finals, they failed to make the final stages.

Keegan, who admitted he was ``not good enough'' to do the job, was ridiculed by the British media on Sunday for the timing of his decision and dubbed a ``coward'' and a ``deserter''.

Keegan had great motivational skills. But, despite a playing career which included a successful time in German football, he appeared to lack the tactical knowledge for coaching at the highest level.

England, once one of the world's best teams, are learning to live with the fact that they are now ranked behind the likes of Norway, Portugal and Mexico who have never won the World Cup.