Soccer: Keegan the right choice for Ritchie

Manchester City defender Paul Ritchie welcomed the news that Kevin Keegan was going to be his new manager, claiming he would be a popular choice with all of the players.

The former England coach succeeds the sacked Joe Royle as City manager and he will be unveiled at a teatime press conference.

Ritchie said on BBC GMR: ‘‘I was disappointed when Joe Royle went because obviously he brought me here.

‘‘If you are bringing in a top-class manager then you could not have asked for anybody better than Kevin Keegan.

‘‘I think everybody knows, and the players especially know, that it was a disappointing season and at the end of the day the buck stops with the players.

‘‘Things happen and the football club have made the decision. They’ve gone for a top-class manager and they don’t come any bigger than Kevin Keegan.’’