Kevin Keegan has been sensationally sacked by the Soccer All Stars
Executive Board following dismal performances, and a lack of belief amongst all involved with the national team.
Keegan's side, all be it minus their Tottenham Hotspur stars,
recently scraped past minnows Slovenia by a solitary Kevin Phillips goal to nil, before being comprehensively beaten by Spain.
Keegan's squad selection raised many eyebrows, the likes of Andy Cole, Michael Bridges and Robbie Fowler being overlooked in favour of so-called lesser strikers, whilst his tactical awareness left much to be desired, his side not looking at all comfortable at any stage of either fixture.
Keegan is distraught at the decision to terminate his contract, and is seeking legal advice. "I do not feel that I have been given a fair crack of the whip, it is a bitter disappointment and will take some getting used to. I will be staying out of the game for a while now whilst I try and put this into perspective".
His dismissal will not come as a disappointment to many, and, although perhaps surprising, should benefit English football as a whole.
It is rumoured that the Soccer All Stars Executive Board already have a replacement in mind, however it is also said that the target is currently tied to a SAS club, so as well as a basic wage packet being agreed with the manager, a great deal of money could be required to release him from his contract.
Favourite for the post is former boss Bobby Robson, who took the nation to the brink of glory in 1990 when they were cruelly knocked out on penalties by west Germany at the Semi-Final stage.
Robson, currently assistant to Joe Carfton - another possible candidate, would be a popular choice amongst the general public, as would Brian Thompson, rumoured to be considering his own future at Tottenham Hotspur.
Top Gun of Charlton Athletic has been head-hunted for many top jobs in the past, but loyalty has stood in the way of any move for the Addicks manager, however, the opportunity to manage his country may prove to great to resist.
The Executive Board could even look for foreign flair to take charge, with Alain Borl of Wimbledon also hotly tipped after turning the small South London side into one of the big boys of English soccer.
Should any attempts to woo managers away from clubs' prove fruitless, plenty of talent still lies away from SAS. LongBall is currently unemployed following his recent departure from Arsenal, as is Simon Godfrey, who recently departed Stamford Bridge after an unsuccessful second spell at Chelsea.
However, Godfrey has proved in the past he has the know-how to succeed, and he could be the man to launch England's
resurgence. Joshua Foo Jeirong is also looking for a return to management, and, despite a disappointing time in charge of Sheffield Wednesday in last season's SAS campaign, many believe his main attributes may be more suited to the national game.
Whoever the new man might be, he has a tough challenge on his hands reviving the lagging fortunes of a country which has promised much yet delivered so little over the past three decades.
Many footballing fans have been
left mystified to the sacking, wondering why the Board never took
care of the matter after the recent friendly internationals.
It wouldn't make any sense to sack the national boss when there
are no matches about. This has raised speculation that the
Board have already found their man.
The official statement read as:
"Today the Soccer All Stars Executive Board have regrettably
had to inform the nation of our decision to release Mr. Kevin
Keegan from his contract as the national manager of England.
We wish Mr. Keegan well in his future prospects but have decided
to look towards the future of our country with a new manager.
We expect to announce any appointments immediately."
With no immediate England games
coming up, the installation of a new manager could take some time
as they look to ensure the country's future is in safe
hands. The first thing the new manager will have to think
about is the decision that Tottenham made to pull out a number of
top players from the pre-season international fixtures. Does
he give them the chance to get back into the side or should the
players who filled in remain in the squad?
Whatever the decisions are, every
Englishman's international future has suddenly come at risk.
The older players will be left with worry on their faces and know
that they must produce the goods in SAS in order to stake their
claim in the national side.
It's also reported that from
hereon, the England manager maybe able to select 22 players for
national duty as opposed to the current 18. This would
enhance the chance for some players to show what they can do, and
will also provide more income for clubs around SAS.
Football
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press and professional determine how we perceive football as an
audience. The newspaper here at Soccer All Stars is the first place
to publish all the big news stories as they happen as well as
generating it's own amount of fuss throughout the league through
exaggerated or inaccurate articles!