Patriotic Keegan follows his heart

Kevin Keegan changed his mind about becoming the full-time manager of England because, in keeping with the pattern of his long career, he followed his heart.

A back room in Budapest's Nepstadion 30 minutes after Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Hungary may seem an odd and low-key venue to make such a major public announcement but it provided a perfect denouement to this strange and twisting tale.

After insisting for weeks that his loyalty was to Fulham and that he would replace Glenn Hoddle only for four games to give the Football Association time to seek a permanent successor, Keegan has turned 180 degrees in accepting that role himself.

But the FA always hoped he would once he tasted the job. "My heart tells me to take it," he explained, "and that's what I'm going to let be my judge. I just feel I can't play games any more. I've had a look at the job, It doesn't worry me or scare me. I can see the pitfalls but I can also see a lot of pluses because we have a real chance of being successful.

"I think for the players' benefit as well, with the two European Championship qualifiers coming up in June against Sweden and Bulgaria, I hope that we can get on with it as opposed to everyone guessing what's going to happen after the four games.

"I suppose also the chance that this opportunity might not come round again was another reason why I should take it. So, after a conversation last week with the FA, I decided I wanted the job and that I will go from part-time to full-time."

Keegan is waiting for the FA to come back with contract details. Fulham's chief operating officer also has to work out with the club he steered to the Second Division title this season whether he can retain a link with them.

"Fulham know my decision about England but they are saying is there any way you can stay at Fulham in some capacity? I'm not a fool. I don't want to compromise either job. It is possible to still do something at Fulham. Mr Fayed, the players and fans have been fantastic. My loyalty to Fulham is important.

"But I've told Mr Fayed and the board at Fulham that I won't take it and just have a name at Fulham."

Keegan, the staunch patriot, finally realised that he was fighting a losing battle trying to persuade himself that his allegiance to Fulham came above the job he always wanted.

"Walking out at Wembley for the Poland game was a massive, massive influence," he said. "I felt very at ease and comfortable with it. Now, having done it for two games, I really feel I belong here. And working with the players has been an absolute dream.

"The way they have responded has been the key. I can live with all the other things but, if the players weren't on board, then that would be the end for me."

After the stresses and strains engendered by Hoddle's anxiety-ridden reign Keegan's arrival has blown a blast of fresh air through the dressing room as well as the nation.

"It's great news for England," said the captain Alan Shearer. "He's enthusiastic and no one has a bad word to say about him and the performances prove that. He listens to players. He's a players' manager. He's on their wavelength.

"There's not a tremendous amount of tactics go into it. He likes his players to go out and play. But you want to play for him because of his attitude and enthusiasm. You want to do it not just because you are wearing an England shirt but because of him as well.

"Keegan has this aura about him with the public. He wants to help everyone. He signs autographs, laughs, does the right thing. He's never down in front of the players."

Martin Keown was equally flattering. "It's great news for English football. He's first-class. He's the right man for the job. He's very relaxed and talkative. There's no real barrier between the manager and the players and that makes you feel comfortable to perform."