I’m an ex-England star-turned-non-league boss and the best advice I ever had was from Steve McClaren… in the shower
HARRY KANE became England’s record goalscorer this week and has been the Premier League’s top marksman in three separate seasons.
But one accolade he has never won is the European Golden Boot.
In fact, the only English player who has done never scored a goal for the Three Lions.
Kevin Phillips was the top scorer in Europe with 30 goals for Sunderland in the 1999-2000 season.
And now, the man who played up front for nine different professional clubs and is highly regarded at all of them is trying his hand at management.
Phillips is back in the North East and looking to guide South Shields FC to promotion from the Northern Premier League.
They came close last season, finishing second in the league before agonisingly losing to Warrington Town on penalties in the play-off semi-final.
This, said Phillips, was the worst feeling he’d ever had in sport.
He told the Telegraph: “My heart was racing. You’re desperate to get through but can’t affect it. I couldn’t watch. Straight away I thought I’d let everyone down.”
But he’s now got his side top of the league, with a bit of help from Steve McClaren.
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Phillips said the best advice he ever received came in a birthday suit conversation with the former England boss.
He recalled: “We were, bizarrely, showering and he turned to me, ‘Kev, as much as sometimes you don’t want to, you must love your players.
“You may think one is an a*******, but you’ve got to show him love, too. That one will keep you in a job.”
McClaren is now back at Manchester United as Erik ten Hag’s assistant with things moving firmly in the right direction.
Though the former Three Lions boss probably doesn’t save his wisdom for the showers at Old Trafford.