I’m a former England star turned non-league boss and the best advice I’ve 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 scorer in three different seasons.

But one award he never won is the European Golden Boot.

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In fact, the only England player to have made it has never scored for the Three Lions.

Kevin Phillips was Europe’s top scorer with 30 goals for Sunderland in the 1999-2000 season.

And now the man who has played up front for nine different professional clubs and is highly respected by all is trying his hand at management.

Phillips is back in the North East looking to guide South Shields FC to promotion from the Northern Premier League.

They came close last season, finishing second in the league before agonizingly losing on penalties to Warrington Town in the play-off semi-finals.

This, Phillips said, is the worst feeling he’s ever had in the sport.

He told the Telegraph: “My heart was racing. You really wanted to get through, but you can’t influence it. I couldn’t watch. Immediately I thought I was going to let everyone down.”

But he has now taken his side to the top of the league, with a little help from Steve McClaren.

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Phillips said the best advice he was ever given was a birthday chat with the former England boss.

He recalled: “We were bizarrely showering and he turned to me: ‘Kev, as much as you don’t want to sometimes sometimes, you have to love your players.

“You might think someone is an asshole, but you have to show them love too. This one will get you a job.”

McClaren is now back at Manchester United as Erik ten Hag’s assistant and things are firmly moving in the right direction.

Although the former Three Lions boss is unlikely to save his wisdom for the Old Trafford showers.