Keegan Manager of Newcastle United
Former Player and Manager Returns to St.James Park to Manage Magpies
Kevin Keegan returns to Newcastle United,the scene of previous success as a player and a manager. Eleven years after leaving,fans welcome him back with high expectations.
Kevin Keegan has returned to Newcastle United, a club where he has previously been both a player and a manager. Eleven years after leaving Newcastle as manager, Keegan returns to fill the void left by the sacking of Sam Allardyce. He has received a hero’s welcome from the supporters who long remember his success during his previous periods at the club.
Keegan - the Player
Kevin Keegan made his name as a player with Liverpool being part of the successful team which won the League title, FA Cup, UEFA Cup and European Cup in his six years at Anfield. He then spent three years in Germany with Hamburg SV where he also found success with the club winning the German League for the first time in their history and then reaching the final of the European Cup.
In 1980 he returned to England where he played for Southampton as part of an exciting team under Lawrie McMenemy.
Keegan Signs for Newcastle United
Two years later he was attracted to the challenge of Newcastle United by their manager Arthur Cox for a transfer fee of £100,000.
At the time Newcastle United were struggling in the 2nd Division but Keegan’s arrival prior to the start of the season, gave the club a lift and he became very popular with the fans. The following season, inspired by Keegan, playing alongside Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle, Newcastle won promotion to the Premier League. However, Keegan announced his retirement having made 78 appearances for the club and scoring 48 goals, including one on his final appearance at St. James’ Park.
Keegan - the England Player
Keegan played for England for ten years. His debut was in 1972 and he made 63 appearances and scored 21 goals.
Keegan - Manager of Newcastle United
Following his retirement, Keegan spent much time in Spain with his family but in January, 1992 he took over as manager of Newcastle United. The club were once again in the 2nd Division but such was their plight that they were in serious danger of being relegated in the 3rd Division. Keegan managed to avert that crisis and the next season he led the club to the Premier League, promoted as Champions.
This heralded a period of success unknown at St. James’ Park in recent memory. The club enjoyed their most memorable period since the successful Newcastle teams of the early 1950s and was renowned for its exciting, attacking football.
In that time Newcastle United never finished outside the top six in the Premier League and in 1995-96 they challenged Manchester United for the title. However, they let a twelve point lead slip and finished the season as runners-up. In the lead up to the crucial final games of the season, as pressure mounted, Keegan is remembered for his televised rant at Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who used every psychological trick to gain advantage for his team.
In the summer of 1996, Keegan achieved a major coup at Newcastle by singing the England goal scorer, Alan Shearer, from Blackburn Rovers for a then world record fee of £15 million.
However, Keegan resigned the following January with Newcastle fourth in the league although under Kenny Dalglish they managed to again finish second.
Keegan's Managerial Career
Keegan’s managerial career includes a spell at Fulham, a less successful period as manager of England and a four year period at Manchester City.
Keegan Returns to St. James' Park
Keegan has spent the last years in retirement until he received the call to return to Newcastle United. The expectations of the fans are high. They are looking for him to revitalise the club and they see this as an opportunity to move into the elite group of English clubs where they feel Newcastle United belongs.
