By Jon Murray ENGLAND hero Martin Keown says he would love the Oxford United manager's job . . . but the timing isn't right at the moment.

While United fans continue to wait with bated breath to see who becomes the club's 14th post-War manager, in succession to Malcolm Shotton, Arsenal star Keown, who lives at Wheatley, admits he'd be very interested in it in the future.

But the defender, who played a key part in England's 2-0 win over Scotland at Hampden Park on Saturday, says he can't even consider it now while he's playing at the highest level for both club and country, and looking ahead hopefully to appearing in next summer's Euro 2000 finals.

"It's a great opportunity for someone," he said. "That's why there have been so many people interested in the job. As long as the financial side of it is sorted out, it's an attractive proposition for anyone.

"For me at the moment, things are getting busier in the playing front.

"I'm contracted to play for Arsenal for another two seasons after this, and I can't really say whether I'll be going into coaching and management afterwards. I'll make those decisions when I come to them. But football's been my life." It's been suggested by some United fans that Keown, who went to school in Oxford, played for Oxford Boys and has grown up in the county, would be an ideal candidate, if only there might be somebody who could 'keep the seat warm' for a couple of years.

But even though United chairman Firoz Kassam has strong connections with Arsenal - the Gunners have often stayed at his London hotels - and Keown has spoken to him in the past, he says no mention has been made of the future.

"Certainly, if I were to go into management, then geographically, Oxford would be ideal for me," Keown said. "But I don't want to be considered as someone in the area who is breathing down any new manager's neck.

"The timing isn't right at the moment."

Although Kassam has completed interviewing candidates for the post, he has not yet made his decision.

Caretaker manager Mickey Lewis remains favourite, with the Manor Ground staff at least.

Kassam said: "There is no announcement at the moment but when there is, you (the Oxford Mail) will be the first to know."

Story date: Monday 15 November

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.