Big Interview: England expects – as Kevin Keegan knows

The two-time Ballon d’Or winner can empathise with Gareth Southgate, who is hoping is to kick-off England’s World Cup campaign with a bang against Tunisia on Monday, after being at the Three Lions helm for Euro 2000.

Things did not go to plan for the former Liverpool, Hamburg and Newcastle star in Belgium and the Netherlands – England did not get out of their group and he had resigned by October, following a loss to Germany in what was the last game at the old Wembley.

But he feels fairly optimistic about Harry Kane and Co’s chances in Russia.

“I’m pretty much where everybody else is – I’m not expecting them to win it. The expectation for previous tournaments which we’ve had has been too high, for where we really have been,” said Keegan.

“This time, they’re young and they’ve got a manager who is willing to give them a chance.

“I think there’ll be a bit more patience with this squad. Do I think they’ll get through the group? Yes.

“I think Belgium and England will definitely get through that – I can’t see any way which they won’t. It’ll be a big shock if they don’t, either of them.

“They would meet either Poland or possibly Colombia if it goes to plan – the other group – and they can beat both of those, although they’re not easy games.

“Whoever they get after that – there won’t be a lot of weaknesses, and there’ll be a lot more experience than what we have. If they can get to the semi-finals, it’ll be a fantastic achievement.

“I’m looking forward to watching them. I don’t expect them to win but getting to the semis would be like winning it, for me – with this squad, a lot of youngsters in and a manager going to a tournament for the first time as tournament football is so much different than friendlies.”

Keegan was more successful as a club manager, just missing out on the Premier League title with Newcastle and winning Division One with the Magpies and Manchester City, and Division Two with Fulham.

Handling different characters – from those with huge egos, to those who hardly said a word – he is well-versed in the demands of management, a ruthless one being selecting a tournament squad for England.

A difficult task, Keegan praised Southgate for being ‘consistent’ in his picks.

“It’s difficult as sometimes you’re not just telling them they’re not coming to a tournament, you’re telling them their England career is over – so it’s a bitter blow,” he said.

“If they’re young, it’s probably a bit easier. You can say to them ‘look, you’re still learning the game and your chance will come’.

“When guys get past 26, 27 or 28 – and then 31, 32 – and they’re not making it, they know and you know it’s not impossible, but the odds are against them. That’s difficult, but it’s part of the job.

“Gareth has handled it well and been consistent. He could have picked some more experienced players – Joe Hart being one, there’s no reason he couldn’t have picked him. He’s gone for three very young goalkeepers with only nine caps between them so there’s a feeling that whatever happens in this tournament, they’ll be better next time out.

“It’s a learning curve – it can be a steep one in the World Cup, against teams of vast experience. As long as they learn from it, it’ll be worth it.”

Southgate was actually one of the players Keegan took to Euro 2000. Having seen close-up the type of player he was – an organised, efficient centre-half – the former Villa man’s transition into management did not surprise him.

“No. First of all, he was a league manager at Middlesbrough,” said Keegan.

“That didn’t last too long but then he went to work with the young guys – he knows these players from when they first came on the scene. He knows what they can do, and what they can’t do. They know him, feel comfy with him, and know his way too. In that way, that’s an advantage for Gareth. The disadvantage, of course, is that they’re young.

“He won’t ask them to do the things they can’t do and he’ll ask them to do all the things they can.”

Aged 67, Keegan has now been out of management for 10 years, after ending a second stint at Newcastle. And he has no plans to return to the touchline, insisting that part of his life is ‘gone’.

“Playing is the best thing, of course. Nothing beats playing,” said Keegan, who used to seek out Wolves games on a neighbour’s TV as a kid.

“Managing is the next stage for players who love the game and want to hang in there, and give something back with their knowledge – having played a lot of games and won things.

“I don’t miss it at all, to be honest with you. The game is changing very, very quickly. It’s a young man’s game now – or people think it is. I’ve got a different life and I’m in control of every day of my life.

“When you’re a manager, the minute those fixtures come out, you know where you’re going to be every Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday – for the best part of 355 days. Even if you go on holiday, you’re never really away from a phone call about a player, or a problem here or a trip there.

“That part I don’t miss. But the banter, that’s what you miss – the funny things that happen, the tricks. They’re like big kids. You miss that. You can’t replace that in normal life, because it’s not normal.

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“I’m very happy with what I did in football, I can’t grumble. Lots of successes, some didn’t work out the way you’d want – but that’s bound to be the way.

“You can’t win everything, you’ll lose an FA Cup final, a League Cup final or European Cup final. I’ve lost all those, but I’ve won them as well.

“You have to accept what your career is – you can’t re-write it. That part’s nice for me, the memories. But at 67, I’m still looking to do things with my life. I’m not really looking in the past – it’s not a good thing to do. You’ll have a reunion sometimes, have a good chat about things, but then it’s over and we get on with our lives.

“That’s behind me now. All I’ve achieved is there to be seen and I’ve enjoyed it, but it’s not something to keep going back over – wish I was doing this or that.

“That’s gone. I’ve got grandkids now, I do talks, motivational stuff. I’m doing a book that’s just been finished.

“Most of the players of my generation, you have to look forward – it keeps your mind active. There’s still a lot to look forward to in life.”

While keen not to dwell on the past, Keegan was willing to share which achievement in his career he looks back with the most fondness. Was it the three top-flight titles with Liverpool, or the European Cup, or the FA Cup? Was it the Bundesliga title with Hamburg? Maybe the Ballon d’Ors?

“Captaining your country, that’s the best thing,” said Keegan, without an ounce of hesitation.

“The Ballon d’Ors – things like that – they’re individual honours you get for being part of a good team. Most the team can’t win the golden boot because they don’t play centre forward. If you play goalkeeper, what chance do you have?

“The European Cup with Liverpool is a big memory, the first FA Cup I ever played in, winning the league was great – and winning the league in Germany was great.

“But way, way above that is playing for England, first of all.

“Then When a manager says to you ‘you’re leading the team out today, you’re the captain’, wow, that is very special.”

Keegan was speaking before a Q&A at Resorts World Birmingham.