Sampson shears ties

American coach Steve Sampson has quit after his side's miserable performance at France '98.

Sampson had been severely criticised by his senior players, several of whom said they would never play for the United States if he remained in charge.

"I don't think we got the best out of the players here and overall I blame the coaches," said midfielder Tab Ramos graciously. "He based all his decisions on our 3-0 warm-up match against Austria - and that could have been a fluke. This whole World Cup has been a mess."

Sampson's lack of worldwide experience was cruelly exposed as his team crashed to Germany, Yugoslavia and Iran.