Thursday, January 17, 2008

Kevin Keegan's Amazing Return

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Kevin Keegan has sensationally returned to Newcastle as the club's manager, saying he is "delighted to be back".
Eleven years after ending his first spell in charge Keegan has returned to St James' Park as Sam Allardyce's successor, signing a three-and-a-half year contract.
Ashley and chairman Chris Mort found themselves under fire at the weekend as it emerged that Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp had withdrawn for the race to succeed Allardyce.
However, the pair gave the fans what they wanted when they appointed a man who achieved legendary status both as a player and as a manager during his previous spells with the club.
They did so under cover of an extensive smokescreen which had seen a bewildering list of names linked with the post as they cast their net far and wide.
The Magpies confirmed Keegan's appointment shortly before 4.30pm on Wednesday afternoon.
And speaking after his return was announced, the former England boss told Sky Sports News: "It's nice to be home. I'm delighted to be back."
And Mort added: "I think we've got the right man in the end.
"We didn't think we'd be able to get Kevin back to the club but he's the right man and we're absolutely delighted."
Joyous Magpies fans will now wonder if their other long-held wish, Alan Shearer's addition to the management team, will also become a reality.
And the former England boss admitted he would be "foolish" not to speak to Keegan if he wants him to be his assistant manager.
When asked if he would consider becoming Keegan's No 2, Shearer told the BBC: "First and foremost I'm not sure he has even thought about it - he probably wouldn't have had time.
"He is his own man and will make his own decisions.
"But it is my club. If he was to ring up and ask to speak to me, I would speak to him...I would be foolish not to."
He did, though, admit: "I haven't really seen myself as a number two."
The response of the Newcastle fans was immediate as lengthy queues formed at the St James' ticket office ahead of the FA Cup third-round replay against Stoke, causing kick-off to be delayed by 15 minutes.
The joy at Keegan's arrival is understandable - his arrival as a player in 1982 helped to rejuvenate the club's fortunes on the field, where they won promotion to the top flight in his second season.
As he was unveiled, then club secretary Russell Cushing famously said: "We're in heaven, we've got Kevin."
Keegan's iconic departure from St James' by helicopter after his final game - a match which saw a young Shearer take his place among the ball boys - apparently signalled the end of an era.
But eight years later, Sir John Hall staged a major coup to hand the former England international his first job in management and spark one of the most remarkable periods in the club's history.
Backed by Hall's millions, he put together a side which thrilled audiences far beyond Tyneside and went desperately close to lifting the league title for the first time since 1927 at the end of the 1995-96 season, only to be overhauled by Manchester United.
The longed-for trophy, however, never arrived - indeed, the wait goes on - and Keegan finally called it a day in January 1997 for reasons which have remained largely private ever since.
He now faces the task of assembling a backroom team, but perhaps more importantly, strengthening a depleted squad during the remaining two weeks of the transfer window to ensure that the club is not sucked into the fight against relegation from the Barclays Premier League.
But as he embarks on that task, he looks to have the backing of the players.
Goalkeeper Shay Given hailed his return as "a dream come true".
Speaking after playing in the 4-1 win over Stoke, Given described the moment he learned of Keegan's appointment.
"The hairs stood up on the back of my neck," he said on Sky Sports News.
"It gave everyone a huge lift.
"You dream like the fans dream that Kevin Keegan would come back and maybe Alan (Shearer) would come back as well.
"But until it was announced, you thought it was just a dream.
"Everyone's pinching themselves around the north east. The dream's come true.
"Kevin Keegan has a lot of work to do with the squad and the team but hopefully there are exciting times ahead.
"We hope to get back to where we were the last time (he was in charge). He nearly won the league.
"Everyone remembers the entertaining football we used to play under Kevin Keegan. Hopefully we can do that and get the right results as well."

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