Kevin Keegan insisted that even his experiences as England coach had not diluted his love of the game as he revealed there was ''every possibility'' he could return to management.

Keegan has steadfastly maintained a low profile since admitting he had ''fallen short of what was required in the job'' as he resigned after the 1-0 defeat at home to Germany last October.

However, he broke his silence after winning £150,000 in libel damages and an apology from a Sunday newspaper after claims of his alleged involvement in gambling by his national squad.

Once his reputation as a manager and person had been vindicated, he then seemed to train his sights on setting the record straight about his standing as a tactician and coach.

Keegan, who believes the Football Association's determination to support Sven-Goran Eriksson through thick and thin will stand his successor in good stead, declared outside the High Court: ''I promise you one thing.

''I love football and so there's every possibility that I'll be back.''

In typical fashion, he added: ''Don't know where, don't know when but I know we'll meet again some sunny day.''

Keegan has not been seen in public since resigning as England boss, concentrating on spending time with his family and on a business enterprise, sparking a call from Graham Taylor to show his face with pride.

That is exactly what Keegan did outside court yesterday, sparking inevitable speculation over how soon he might be persuaded back into the game, even if that could be simply as a TV pundit.

Eight years after retiring as a player, Keegan was tempted into football management by the prospect of reviving Newcastle's fortunes.

And after resigning as Newcastle boss in January 1997, he was quickly back in business, joining Fulham as chief operating officer.

In February 1999, the call of his country also proved impossible for him to resist, becoming temporary England coach before taking the job on full-time in May of that year.

While the next challenge would have to be right to tempt him back into the game, Keegan had never ruled out the possibility.

When he quit the England post, he insisted: ''I wouldn't say I will never be involved in football again, just that I won't be at this level.''

Keegan would still have to rebuild his reputation as a coach, given that he admitted he had failed in the England job.

''Lots of the parts I was adequate with and some parts I did very well, but not in the key part of getting players to win football matches,'' he admitted at the time.

''Tactically at this level, results will tell you that I have struggled.''

But his fame, infectious personality and achievements at both Fulham and Newcastle would obviously stand him in good stead for posts either at home or abroad.

For the time being at least, he is simply celebrating winning his legal fight against the News of the World after allegations - now admitted to be false - that he had encouraged England players to gamble.

Keegan also paid tribute to FA chief executive Adam Crozier for his support in having pledged to fund his legal expenses.

Crozier may have just dismissed England's Euro 2000 displays under Keegan with a four-letter expletive and also remarked last November that the ''players could be closer''.

However, he attempted to persuade Keegan to carry on as England coach even after the former Newcastle boss told him that he was throwing in the towel at Wembley.

And while Eriksson, as England's first overseas coach, faces a potentially even more testing time if results go against him, Keegan believes that the FA's continued, steadfast support could prove invaluable.

''I want to thank Adam Crozier. He is the only one who has stuck by me,'' said Keegan after his legal victory, which should see the FA get their money back.

''I know some people in the FA felt he was wrong to do that. But I think Mr Eriksson, the new manager, will feel a lot of comfort from me saying that he's got someone behind him there at the FA who will stick by him and stick by his principles.''

Keegan was delighted with the outcome of the case, adding: ''We've waited three months to put this right. I can get back on with my job now.''

He said the newspaper article headlined ''Keegan's £40,000 bet shame'' had caused ''misery'' to himself, the England players and the FA.

''The article contained so many things that weren't right. The article made me look like somebody who did not care. I think that everybody who works with me knows that is not true,'' he said.

The newspaper alleged that Keegan not only allowed big-stakes gambling to take place in the squad, thereby leading to supposed rifts between players, but actively encouraged it by acting as bookmaker for race nights.

The newspaper's solicitor, Robert Clinton, said it recognised that there was nothing ''wrong or improper in the conduct of Mr Keegan or the harmless race nights and card games which the players enjoyed''.

The court heard that the practice of England players playing cards, taking part in race nights and betting among themselves was well-accepted and dated back well before Keegan took over.

The FA had agreed to pay Keegan's legal bills during the case as the allegations related to the time that he was still employed by them.

l Former England manager Graham Taylor has questioned the FA's decision to fast-track potential national managers of the future on coaching courses.

Former England captains Alan Shearer and Tony Adams have been touted as possible England coaches in the coming years but Taylor admitted he has reservations about the scheme.

He said: ''I'm not anti it. I'm just a little bit wary of what is the substance of a qualification that some people will take five years to get and some people will take two years."