Keegans back, back again!

Marcucas · Keegans back, back again!

Newcastle revels in Keegan return

Keegan watched Newcastle's 4-1 victory over Stoke on Wednesday
Kevin Keegan starts his job as Newcastle manager on Thursday with fans still celebrating his shock return to St James' Park.
The news of Keegan's return sparked mass celebrations on Tyneside with 20,000 tickets sold in two hours for Wednesday's FA Cup replay with Stoke.

Keegan was at the replay and was given a rapturous reception as he took to his seat in the directors' box.

"This is my third time around and I'm delighted to be back," he said.

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The installation of Keegan is the first managerial appointment made by billionaire owner Mike Ashley, who took over the club last summer.

And Keegan will need to act quickly if he is to use Ashley's cash before the transfer window closes at the end of the month and add to a squad that are currently 11th in the Premier League table.

606: DEBATE
What are Keegan's priorities now that he is back at St James' Park?

Keegan also has to make a decision about the make-up of his backroom team, with Newcastle legend Alan Shearer touted as a possible assistant.

Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live on Thursday: "I don't know whether, one, he wants a number two, or two, I would like to be one. If he were to call then obviously I would be foolish not to speak to him."

Caretaker manager Nigel Pearson took charge of the side for the 4-1 victory over Stoke and BBC Sport understands he, and the rest of the coaching team, are set to learn their fate on Thursday afternoon.

The new Newcastle boss will also have to consider the future of record signing Michael Owen, who criticised Keegan when he was England manager.

Owen, who has a frustrating time with injury since joining Newcastle in August 2005, said that playing under Keegan was a "dark phase in my career" in his 2004 autobiography "Off the Record".

But Shearer believes there will be no problem with Owen playing under Keegan.

The news that Keegan would be returning to St James' Park on the three-and-a-half year deal stunned the football world when it was announced on Wednesday afternoon.

And in Newcastle, car horns were honked on the streets while lengthy queues formed outside the ground as fans flocked to buy tickets for the clash against Stoke.

Newcastle fans celebrate the news of Keegan's appointment

The kick-off even had to be moved to accommodate the late rush of people wanting to get to the match.

"Before the appointment I'd have imagined that the crowd numbers would not have been huge for the Stoke game but suddenly the place was packed," said BBC Radio 5 Live's Connor McNamara, who was commentating on the game.

"Newcastle as a town and a club was the recipient of a shot in the arm last night with the news that Kevin Keegan is back in charge.

"They had "Football's Coming Home" playing over the tannoy and there was a smile on people's faces. Tyneside had a sparkle in its eye and an extra spring in its step.

"Something last night just felt right about this. Maybe it will all end in tears but right here right now there are a lot of happy men and women waking up on Tyneside this morning."

Newcastle fans will be hoping that Keegan's appointment will bring back the glory days they saw under him in the 1990s.

After a distinguished time as a player at the club between 1982-84, Keegan returned to the club as a manager in 1992, taking them back to the top flight in his first season.

Following the capture of some high-profile signings, Keegan's swashbuckling side became the great entertainers and with it, the former Liverpool and England forward was etched on the hearts of the Magpies faithful.

In 1995/96, Newcastle came close to winning the league title but blew a 12-point lead and finished runners-up to Manchester United.

Since his departure in 1997, Keegan's legacy has hung over the club with subsequent managers struggling to match both his style and success.

And his approach is a direct contract to that of his predecessor Sam Allardyce, who was sacked on 9 January after just eight months in charge.

Now i personally think that it might be a failure to be frank and if im asked i think he will just end up quitting!!

Lou Cipher

Newcastle have fucked up big style to the mass delight of the rest of the North East. Keegan's Newcastle may have played attractive football but how many trophies did he deliver? None - that's how many the same as every manager who followed him.

Maverick

When I first heard of his appointment I just thought it would be a big mistake, hasn't he been out of the game for a while?

Diane

I didn't realise this was true, I never even gave him a second thought, judging by Newcastle's tolerant board he will be on the dole come May giggle

!

jonnysmig

Keegan or anyone else - doesn't make a difference - I don't think that anyone will be good enough to match the Geordie fan's expectations.

Keegan will either have to win something or qualify for the Champions League to keep the fans on his side...

clevelandspur

^ Good point jonny!

Think it was a real reach with his appointment. All of the job openings in the Prem and Championship which have opened up and you hadn't heard his name mentioned once. i think that alone tells us something.

funkymonkey

First off I have to say that I respect Keegan, he was a great player and has never bad mouthed Sunderland as the Skunks manager.

BUT!

I think this is yet another cynical publicity stunt by Mike Ashley the life long Newcastle supporter that was born in Buckinghamshire and supported Spurs up until 12 month ago!
All this sitting with the fans behind the goal at away games and wearing a home strip is always massively pushed by his PR people. It smells like a sad lonely man trying to buy friends and adoration. The Keegan appointment follows this logic perfectly!

At best Keegan will motivate the team with his enthusiasm at worst his lack of tactical ability and long term detachment from the game will relegate Newcastle (snigger)

I find it ironic that Keegan has had to pack in his job as a football Circus ring master to become... Yes! A circus ring master at St. James! Bring on the clowns!

Lou Cipher

Shearer is now quoted as saying he will have a discussion if Keegan calls him about a job.

So the Geordie Messiah doesn't have the balls to take the top job himself but he's prepared to join Keegan's three ring circus and step into his giant clown shoes when the inevitable Ashley axe falls.

jimmyq

^ Didn't Shearer say that Ashley called him to say that he wasn't going to appoint him this time but would like him to be Newcastles manager in the future?

I think Ashley has pulled off a bit of a stroke here. The fans have no choice but to give Keegan time and to keep off the boards back. The feel good factor could see Newcastle go on a run ...but yeah, ultimately I think they will fall short.

sandz

No offence but this league is bigger and better than when Keegan was in it with newcastle before. Does he expect to score 3 vs the top 7 teams and win? I don't think so. If they get a defensive coach they might be a top 7 side.

jimmyq

Well...what an anti climax. One of the worst games Ive sat through in a long time. Bring back Allardyce!!

AlexH

^So true. It was such a dull match. Newcastle didnt look organised at all and to be fair I didnt see one moment of exciting football.