KEVIN Keegan was keeping a low profile last night as bookmakers put three North-East football managers in the running for his job.

No one answered calls on the intercom system at the gates of Keegan's £2m mansion at Wynyard, near Billingham, Teesside, yesterday.

A flag of St George fluttered on a flagpole at the end of his drive, but copies of the Sunday newspapers, filled with reports about his shock resignation, remained untouched in his letter box.

Speculation was mounting last night about Keegan's successor after he resigned following England's 1-0 Wembley defeat at the hands of Germany.

Keegan's England assistants, Newcastle legends Arthur Cox and Peter Beardsley, also quit last night.

Former England boss Terry Venables has been made the favourite to succeed Keegan, and yesterday he got the backing of Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson - who is also in the running, according to bookmaker William Hill.

The names of Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson and Sunderland boss Peter Reid have been mentioned, along with Peter Taylor and John Gregory. And last night, England's caretaker boss Howard Wilkinson hinted he might be interested in the job himself.

The FA may pick a non-English coach, possibly Arsenal's Arsene Wenger, from France, or Manchester United's Scottish manager Alex Ferguson.

Last night, Keegan's former assistant manager at Newcastle United, Terry McDermott said: "I was shocked and bewildered when I heard Kevin had quit, but I wish him well in everything he does, be it in or out of football."

l William Hill's odds on Keegan's successor are: 7/4 Terry Venables; 7/1 Peter Taylor; 10/1 John Gregory; 11/1 Peter Reid, Bryan Robson; 12/1 Arsene Wenger; 14/1 Alan Curbishley, Marcello Lippi; 16/1 Sir Alex Ferguson, Bobby Robson, Howard Wilkinson; 20/1 Aime Jacquet, David O'Leary, Martin O'Neill.

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