When King Kevin returned a third time
KEVIN Keegan is one of the most important figures in the long history of Newcastle United.
Fans on this day 10 years ago were celebrating his THIRD coming at the club.
Twice before, the charismatic Keegan had rescued the Magpies from oblivion.
In the process each time, King Kev brought much joy to black and white hearts so often bruised and battered by the regular toils of their beloved football club.
In 1982, Keegan the player sensationally arrived to spark United’s eventual promotion back to the top flight after an absence of six seasons.
In 1992, with the Magpies in crisis and on the brink of relegation to the third tier of English football, he returned as rookie manager to save them from the drop, then oversee their dramatic resurgence. For most of us, it was as good as it ever got as the ‘Entertainers’ challenged at the top of the Premier League in dashing style. And then, out of the blue a decade ago, he was back again.
The Chronicle of January 16, 2008, reported: “Kevin Keegan is making a sensational return to Newcastle United. The 56-year-old is set to be unveiled as the club’s new manager.
“Keegan was a hugely popular figure during his first spell as Magpies boss from 1992-1997 but was ranked as an outside candidate to replace Sam Allardyce, who left St James’ Park last week after an unsuccessful short stint in charge.
“Gerard Houllier and Didier Deschamps were strongly linked with the position in the last two days but the club unexpectedly announced Keegan as the club’s new manager on their website late this afternoon. Keegan was linked to the role but initially only in partnership with Alan Shearer.
“Keegan took Newcastle to promotion back to the top flight in 1993 and came close to winning the league title in the 1995-96 season when they famously led Manchester United by 12 points.”
Chronicle photographers were at St James Park that night, taking photographs of fans clearly happy at Keegan’s return.
United beat Stoke City 4-1 in a 3rd round FA Cup replay and Keegan, watching with owner Mike Ashley in the crowd, was given a hero’s welcome.
Sadly there would be no fairy tale this time.
Keegan would famously soon fall out with the club’s hierarchy. By September, 2008, he was gone, with Newcastle United in chaos. It was an old familiar tale.