By Tyne-Talk
January 16 2008

Former Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan has today signed up to once again take control. Keegan has been appointed after much speculation about who would take the job, with Mark Hughes, Alan Shearer, Martin Jol and Harry Redknapp all hot favourites with the bookies.

Keegan who has managed Fulham, England and Manchester City since his first appointment in February 1992 which lastted until January 1997.

Former Toon captain Bobby Moncur expressed his delight at Keegan resuming his position at the club despite backing Shearer in the race.

"It's a bit of a shock, and a very a nice surprise that Kevin Keegan is coming back,

Initially when we were looking for a manager, Alan Shearer was in the frame and I didn't honestly think Kevin Keegan would be coming back. I thought he'd had enough of first-class football but I for one am delighted that he's come back.

We needed a big man to lift the whole place and Kevin Keegan is certainly one of the men who can do that."

He has however said that he isnt 100% sure that the former magic on Tyneside can be recreated:

"The problem of course for Kevin is can he recreate? It's always more difficult second time round, but Kevin clearly feels he can do that.

I don't believe the type of players Kevin had back then are here now, I think it's a bit more diffcult now to get that type of players, but if anyone can attract that type of player to Newcastle it's Kevin Keegan. He's proved he can do it before, so he can do it again."

Keegan already has experience managing some of Newcastles current team, he has previously coached Joey Barton, Nicky Butt and Michael Owen (pictured below on International training with former fellow striker Shearer & manager Keegan).

Former player Warren Barton has also backed Keegan:

"It's fantastic, I think the managers that have come in since Sir Bobby Robson have not realised what the club and the area is all about and what Newcastle United means to these fans," he said.

Kevin Keegan knows all about that and has learned from his spells at England, Fulham and Man City. The fans will love him and the players will love playing for him - as I did.

Kevin's strongest point is his team talks and his ability to motivate players. He always told us to go out and entertain and I just hope that during his time away he has become a bit more tactically aware and he has learned the international game.

I say that because football has moved on and he has not been involved for a few years."

Chris Waddle believes that Keegan can lift Newcastle off the flat and back on a high - as he seeks to restore the former confidence the club had:

"He's got to put some confidence in the team, he's a very positive fellow and that's one of his strengths as a manager - let's be honest, I don't think you thought about his teams as tactically solid.

But he signed good players and he's a name who attracts players, and that is a big part of football today. Players look at wages but they like to play for a manager who has a lot of passion, a lot of desire, and Kevin Keegan is a very big name in the world of football. He's got to the end of the month to get some players in, I'm sure there will be a lot of activity.

I played with Kevin as a player and he was very enthusiastic and very passionate about the game.

As a manager he realised what the fans wanted - they loved exciting, entertaining football. He gave them that and signed some wonderful players at St James' Park and it really was a rollecoaster for five years.

He's got to put some confidence in the team. He's a very positive fellow and that's one of his strengths as a manager - let's be honest, people don't think about his teams as tactically solid.

It's an interesting time for him to come back. It's very flat at Newcastle at the moment and there's not a lot of buzz about the place.

Players look at wages but they like to play for a manager who has got a lot of passion, a lot of desire, and Kevin Keegan is a very big name in the world of football.

Everyone thought he would call it a day and that was probably the end of it, but if there's any club where his loyalties lie it is Newcastle.

He's got terrific backing here with the supporters who've always loved him, and it's brought him out of retirement.

Hopefully his batteries will be recharged and he's got a lot of work to be done.

It looks like happy days again at St James' but he needs to be given time and it is going to take a while."

Alan Shearer is yet to comment on the appointment but speculation still mounts over whether he will join Keegan's coaching team, with Shearer's felow BBC pundit Gavin Peacock fuelling it:

"I wouldn't rule out someone like Shearer being brought in by Keegan as an assistant or a coach to learn his trade,

Kevin's an empowerer, he likes to see people grow under his influence.

Shearer had been heavily linked with a return to the club following the departure of Sam Allarydce earlier this month, but said the club was looking for someone with managerial experience.

I said I could see Shearer going back with Kevin as a mentor, in the way he had Arthur Cox when he was there before,

Having Kevin in as the manager is a decision the chairman has taken because he wants someone with experience in the number one position."

King Kev Returns To Take Control

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 16/01/2008 18:50

TyneTalk
16/01/2008 18:50

King Kev Returns To Take Control

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MissC
16/01/2008 19:23

Any comments on these opinions?

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roysta
16/01/2008 19:32

Match of the day should be interesting Shearers on i believe!!

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MissC
16/01/2008 19:44

Yeh back from hols he should be unless he has taken an "extended" break

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shearers legs
16/01/2008 21:21

at least we'll get a bit of passion

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