🔗 Share this article

Bog Standard

Toilet humor has always been the comfort zone of your Daily, and writers stay alert of notable bog-related stories and milestones, notably connected to soccer. It was quite amusing to find out that an online journalist a famous broadcaster has a West Brom-themed urinal at his home. Consider the situation for the Barnsley fan who took the rest room a little too literally, and needed rescuing from an empty Oakwell stadium post-napping in the lavatory during halftime of a 2015 loss by Fleetwood. “His footwear was missing and couldn't find his phone and his cap,” stated a Barnsley fire station spokesperson. And who can forget when, at the height of his fame at Manchester City, Mario Balotelli visited a nearby college for toilet purposes back in 2012. “He left his Bentley parked outside, before entering and requesting directions to the restrooms, subsequently he entered the faculty room,” a student told local Manchester media. “Later he simply strolled through the school as if he owned it.”

The Lavatory Departure

Tuesday marks 25 years since Kevin Keegan stepped down as the England coach post a quick discussion in a toilet cubicle with FA director David Davies deep within Wembley Stadium, after the notorious 1-0 loss versus Germany during 2000 – the national team's concluding fixture at the famous old stadium. As Davies recalls in his journal, FA Confidential, he entered the drenched struggling national team changing area directly following the fixture, only to find David Beckham in tears and Tony Adams motivated, both of them pleading for the official to reason with Keegan. Subsequent to Hamann's direct free-kick, Keegan walked slowly through the tunnel with a thousand-yard stare, and Davies discovered him collapsed – just as he was at Anfield in 1996 – in the corner of the dressing room, saying quietly: “I'm leaving. This isn't for me.” Collaring Keegan, Davies attempted urgently to rescue the scenario.

“Where could we possibly locate for confidential discussion?” remembered Davies. “The passageway? Swarming with media. The locker room? Packed with upset players. The shower area? I was unable to have a crucial talk with the team manager as squad members entered the baths. Merely one possibility emerged. The restroom stalls. A significant event in English football's extensive history happened in the old toilets of a stadium facing demolition. The approaching dismantling was nearly palpable. Dragging Kevin into a cubicle, I secured the door behind us. We remained standing, looking at each other. ‘You can’t change my mind,’ Kevin said. ‘I'm gone. I'm not suitable. I’m going out to the press to tell them I’m not up to it. I cannot inspire the squad. I can’t get the extra bit out of these players that I need.’”

The Consequences

Therefore, Keegan stepped down, later admitting that he had found his period as Three Lions boss “soulless”. The double Ballon d'Or recipient continued: “I found it hard to fill in the time. I began working with the visually impaired team, the deaf team, working with the ladies team. It's a tremendously tough role.” Football in England has advanced considerably during the last 25 years. For better or worse, those Wembley restrooms and those twin towers are no longer present, whereas a German currently occupies in the coaching zone Keegan formerly inhabited. Tuchel's team is considered among the frontrunners for next year’s Geopolitics World Cup: National team followers, value this time. This exact remembrance from a low point in English football acts as a memory that circumstances weren't consistently this positive.

Live Updates

Tune in with Luke McLaughlin at 8pm British Summer Time for Women's major tournament coverage regarding Arsenal versus Lyon.

Today's Statement

“We stood there in a lengthy line, wearing only our undergarments. We represented Europe's top officials, top sportspeople, examples, adults, parents, strong personalities with high morals … yet nobody spoke. We barely looked at each other, our eyes shifted somewhat anxiously while we were called forward two by two. There Collina observed us from top to bottom with a freezing stare. Mute and attentive” – former international referee Jonas Eriksson discloses the embarrassing processes match officials were formerly exposed to by previous European football refereeing head Pierluigi Collina.

Daily Football Correspondence

“How important is a name? There exists a Dr Seuss poem named ‘Too Many Daves’. Did Blackpool encounter Steve Overload? Steve Bruce, together with staff Steve Agnew and Steve Clemence have been dismissed through the exit. Does this conclude the club's Steve fixation? Not quite! Steve Banks and Steve Dobbie remain to oversee the primary team. Total Steve progression!” – John Myles.

“Since you've opened the budget and awarded some merch, I have decided to put finger to keypad and make a pithy comment. Postecoglou mentions he initiated altercations in the schoolyard with youngsters he anticipated would defeat him. This pain-seeking behavior must justify his option to move to Nottingham Forest. Being a longtime Tottenham fan I'll continue appreciating the subsequent season award however the sole second-year prize I envision him securing along the Trent, should he survive that period, is the second division and that would be quite a challenge {under the present owner” – Stewart McGuinness.|