I had high hopes when I boarded my Tenerife-bound jet at Gatwick just over two weeks ago.

I optimistically thought by the time I returned there might be the possibility of watching England contesting the World Cup final.

But whatever the outcome for Sven's team, at least Albion's new manager would be in place.

Wrong on both counts.

All credit to the Brazilians. Even allowing for their piece of good fortune regarding that free kick, a below-par England deserved to lose.

Perhaps I should have seen it coming.

In our hotel the night before the Brazil game, I met up with a West Ham fan, holidaying alone and celebrating his impending divorce.

He told me and the rest of my party how England should have wiped the floor with Pele and co. in 1970 and how Beckham, who according to Essex man is a nailed on Hammers fan, would put right the wrongs of Mexico 32 years ago.

He then revealed the first chink in his armour by swearing Albion still played at The Goldstone.

Watching him watch the game next morning was as entertaining as the match itself.

He proceeded to drink six pints of lager between 6.50am and the final whistle. Richard Harris eat your heart out. Thankfully, he flew home that evening.

If the English contingent felt bad after our exit, the waiters were almost suicidal 24 hours later when Spain went out on penalties.

England could have no complaints. But Spain, one of my pre-tournament tips, were well and truly cheated against the South Koreans.

Needless to say, dog was firmly off the menu at the Hotel Princessa Dacil the following evening.

As for Albion, every morning before my full English, or should that be full Spanish, breakfast I bought a paper for news of any white smoke coming from Pope Dick's chimney.

Twice I attempted to find an internet cafe to log on to The Argus web site for any breaking Albion news. How sad is that? I'll be getting an anorak next.

I was surprised to read in a supposed quality newspaper that former Albion manager Peter Taylor was a contender for the Leeds United vacancy.

For all the respect and eternal gratitude I have for what he achieved in his short time at the Albion, I think there's more chance of Elvis singing his number one hit live on Top of the Pops this Friday than Taylor getting the job at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, back to reality and the current spare seat in the home dugout at Withdean, what is going on?

Micky Adams was hired within days of Jeff Wood getting sacked and Taylor was recruited barely a week after Adams went to Leicester.

It is more than two months since Taylor walked out.

Barring a couple of blips, Dick Knight has always delivered the goods for the Albion faithful. But is getting the right manager turning out to be an impossible task in Albion's current situation?

I sincerely hope not.

Tim Henman continues his apparent Golden Jubilee run to the men's singles final at Wimbledon.

Perhaps now is the time for the All England Club to make sure our Timmy makes it to, and then wins, Sunday's final.

Why not contact Sepp Blatter at FIFA and get him to provide some sympathetic line judges?

It almost worked for South Korea!