Kevin Keegan expects to be sacked if he fails to get England off to a winning start towards World Cup 2002 qualification.

England face Germany at Wembley and Finland in Helsinki within five days in October after just one build-up match against world champions France in Paris the previous month.

Keegan insists he sees no need to offer his resignation as England coach after the Euro 2000 debacle.

But he admitted: 'If we go out and do not perform against Germany and Finland, which are the two vital games, then maybe that will be the time when the FA will be put under tremendous pressure to get rid of me. If the time was right, I don't think they would find it difficult.'

In that situation, the question would be whether Keegan's pride would force him to walk rather than face the ignominy of the sack. England's coach confirmed: 'I'm not one to say: "I'm not moving".

'But I genuinely feel we can go on from here. Although it looks a bad experience at the moment, it could prove to be the start of something. A lot of things need to be sorted out. The important thing is I have a lot of experience under my belt now.

'There's so much in the job of England coach which is enjoyable and answering my critics does not bother me. I stand my corner. There are a lot of parts I'm confident with but others where I know I have to get better.

'Sadly, the plus-marks at the moment are not on the football field. We didn't have any problems with discipline or stories about bad behaviour breaking out which would have destroyed the morale of the camp before we'd even boarded the flight to Euro 2000.

'We've tried to fulfil the obligations of football professionals. Sadly, we weren't able to do it on the pitch where it matters. That can be put right. There's enough talent in England for us to do much better.'

Despite declarations of support for Keegan from FA chairman Geoff Thompson and chief executive Adam Crozier, there exists an underlying atmosphere of unease within Lancaster Gate surrounding the glaring tactical deficiencies of their coach.

After Thompson's comment that Keegan might need help in certain areas, Keegan demanded from Crozier and FA executive director David Davies a public statement confirming his sole charge of coaching the England senior set-up.