lilphenom
10-08-2000, 12:07 AM
It was supposed to be the spectacular end of an era, but the last match at Wembley was decided by a managerial error.
And Kevin Keegan wasted little time in deciding it was one mistake too many by resigning within an hour of Germany beating England 1-0.
What a stinker - Keegan leaves the England job (Allsport)
"I can have no complaints, I have had more than a fair chance," he said. "I am not the man for the job. One thousand per cent it was my decision. No one put a gun to my head, in fact the opposite.
"There is absolutely no one to blame but myself."
Keegan realised that once again he blew it tactically when he named his starting line-up, handing the initiative to the Germans, who revelled in their role of party-poopers.
His announcement came after the England players were kept behind in the dressing room for a long time after the final whistle. Behind the locked doors were all the big names connected with the English FA, Geoff Thompson, Noel White, Adam Crozier and David Davies sparking rumours that Keegan might be ready to call it a day.
When he finally emerged it was to announce that England will travel to Helsinki under caretaker management in search of the result that might kick-start their World Cup campaign.
"I have always been a man who knows when the time is right to leave," said Keegan. "Obviously my staff and the players will travel to Finland and we have Howard Wilkinson, who has been a great support to me, despite what has been said in the media.
"I have had all the help needed to do my job properly, I have just not quite been good enough and have probably had a longer run than I could have expected after Euro 2000.
"I honestly don't feel I can find that little bit extra you need at this level to find the winning formula.
What next? Tony Adams and David Beckham are all at sea (Reuters)
"I want to go and spend some time with my family. What the fans were saying after the match made it clear they thought I should go, they should be the ones who make the decisions.
"It is not what I wanted and I am very disappointed by the result. In the second half we worked very, very hard but we did not get the breaks.
"I know the spirit is there, we have a great bunch of players and some good kids coming through. I just hope they can pick themselves up."
His former skipper at Newcastle and England Alan Shearer admitted: "I am in shock but you have to give him credit for being so honest. It has been a difficult two weeks for him but he will stick by the decision."
And Kevin Keegan wasted little time in deciding it was one mistake too many by resigning within an hour of Germany beating England 1-0.
What a stinker - Keegan leaves the England job (Allsport)
"I can have no complaints, I have had more than a fair chance," he said. "I am not the man for the job. One thousand per cent it was my decision. No one put a gun to my head, in fact the opposite.
"There is absolutely no one to blame but myself."
Keegan realised that once again he blew it tactically when he named his starting line-up, handing the initiative to the Germans, who revelled in their role of party-poopers.
His announcement came after the England players were kept behind in the dressing room for a long time after the final whistle. Behind the locked doors were all the big names connected with the English FA, Geoff Thompson, Noel White, Adam Crozier and David Davies sparking rumours that Keegan might be ready to call it a day.
When he finally emerged it was to announce that England will travel to Helsinki under caretaker management in search of the result that might kick-start their World Cup campaign.
"I have always been a man who knows when the time is right to leave," said Keegan. "Obviously my staff and the players will travel to Finland and we have Howard Wilkinson, who has been a great support to me, despite what has been said in the media.
"I have had all the help needed to do my job properly, I have just not quite been good enough and have probably had a longer run than I could have expected after Euro 2000.
"I honestly don't feel I can find that little bit extra you need at this level to find the winning formula.
What next? Tony Adams and David Beckham are all at sea (Reuters)
"I want to go and spend some time with my family. What the fans were saying after the match made it clear they thought I should go, they should be the ones who make the decisions.
"It is not what I wanted and I am very disappointed by the result. In the second half we worked very, very hard but we did not get the breaks.
"I know the spirit is there, we have a great bunch of players and some good kids coming through. I just hope they can pick themselves up."
His former skipper at Newcastle and England Alan Shearer admitted: "I am in shock but you have to give him credit for being so honest. It has been a difficult two weeks for him but he will stick by the decision."