There was a lot of support for the announcement of Kevin Keegan, as the new Newcastle United Manager, last night.
Kevin Keegan – when manager of Manchester City
Managers and players were quick to weigh in with their opinions, and most were happy with the announcement.
Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has welcomed the return of Kevin Keegan to the Newcastle manager position:
“I think he’s a good choice. He’s been there before,” “He’s a great man, a big man all over the world – especially in Newcastle he’s very, very big.”
“Kevin Keegan back in football, in the Premier League, is fantastic.”
Steve Watson, who played for Kevin Keegan last time around said:
“Keegan is a motivator, but he likes to give his teams the license to play football and all of his philosophies are based around passing the ball and playing good, attacking football.”
“He has got a lot of big players, but he has players there that he has managed before – Joey Barton at Man City as well as Michael Owen, Alan Smith and Nicky Butt from his time with the England set-up.”
Les Ferdinand, one of the greats in Kevin’s last reign at the club said:
“He’s the people’s choice. The supporters want him there and it’s great to see him back there. They will be queueing up for Saturday’s game just to see Kevin Keegan back this weekend.”
“Kevin came very close last time around and left for matters unrelated to football so it’s unfinished business for him.”
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley:
“Nothing surprises me any more. Kevin may have had no intention of coming back until this job arose.”
“Newcastle have brought a manager in who is perhaps not going to have the pressure others have had to put up with.”
Sir Bobby Robson wasn’t too enthusiastic and we think he wanted Alan Shearer at the helm of the club.
“Mike Ashley and Chris Mort have done what they think is right – they run the club and they are the people who have made this decision.”
“I just hope that it is a successful appointment.”
Warren Barton, who was brought to Newcastle United by Keegan:
“It’s a season to remember already – he’s come back. A UEFA Cup spot is a possibility. If I was in the dressing room and he walked in, that would give me a lift.”
“The players have got to respond – there is quality in that team.”
Oh, it’s so exciting today, especially as Kevin already seems to have lifted the players by his very presence at the game last night.
The team played their best football at home this season against Stoke last night and blew them away. Charles N’Zogbia was just outstanding in central midfield. What a waste to have played Charles at left back and in fact Charles may be played in midfield from now on. Certainly again on Saturday against Bolton Wanderers where we’ll be short of Barton, Butt, Smith. Emre, Geremi and Faye in midfield.
Comments welcome.
21 comments so far
James
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Comment #1We all know how good he is at motivating the team and getting them to play with confidence. But it’s who he buys that will decide his new era.
There is no question he won’t sell anyone during Jan, because he will want to look at the players first. He doesn’t know that Butt, Smith and Geremi are a waste of space – he has to see that for himself.
Already reports are circulating that he has been promised £25 million to spend in Jan.
Who do you think should be coming our way this month?
No doubt there will be a revolving door of players in the summer, but right now, with only 2 weeks left they won’t have the time to negiogiate too many deals. So for me, I’d like to see :
Top Class Central Defender to play alongside Taylor
World Class superstar attacking midfielder
A Right winger that can whip the ball into the box constantly for Owen.
With three additions like this we could easily push for a top 6 finish.
Dan
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Comment #2I couldn believe my eyes when i saw on the newspapers in Singapore ” KEEGAN IS BACK”… omg my heart fluttered like a little girl… 🙂
tdt
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Comment #3toon toon ye!
Sloop Jon B
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Comment #4one of KK’s key skills is getting the chairman to open his cheque book!
there’s been talk of Beckham on Talksport (that’d sell some shirts, and the guy is already in England training with Arsenal- where he wouldn’t get a game).
Podolski/Klose?
Diego?
Dunne?
Have Ginola or Ferdinand got any kids we could sign?!
Wasn’t doing cart wheels initially with this appointment- knew it would put a smile of my face, but I must confess that I sold now and on the band wagon. The town was jumping last night, and I’m looking forward a proper atmosphere at the Bolton match.
It would be just like us to lose that one!
Can you imagine how utterly mental it will be if we turn over Arsenal in the next round! The thought of victory, or even getting past Stoke hadn’t even crossed my mind before. But maybe- just maybe…..
Chris
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Comment #5It’s great to see the comments from the former players and colleagues.
Interesting also to view today are the Paper journalists today who predominantly support the ‘heart’ component of the appointment, but believe it is a poor appointment by the ‘head’.
Valid comments by these journalists maybe…assuming of course you forget our present context.
I will accept that under KK we won’t win anything, and that on occassions we will be tactically naive, and much of our gain may seem short-term. As such you can support the ‘head’ argument.
However, I consider that KK will run the team for 2 seasons for handing over to Shearer. Through doing so, we’ll be in a solid top-half, confident, feared, spirited position. A fantastic position for the considered, pragmatic, longer-term appointment of a then-experienced Shearer.
Certainly much better than Shearer taking over after two more years with Sam, who after all the optimism and, well, sensible approach – the ‘head’ approach – was leading us to a be very average, dispirited, slightly lost club.
Through seemingly appointing with the heart now, under the assumption of 2 years until a Shearer handover, you can argue that, in fact, this was very much a decision by the head.
Sloop Jon B
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Comment #6Ed-
You’re going to have the alter the team picture at the top.
Maybe a tacky crown to be placed over the big fellas heid!
subz
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Comment #7Great night!! sore heeds all round today. I just want to reply to a few things I’ve been reading on other boards.
1. “NUFC is not a big club”. Wake up!!! if that is so, why were we the only topic on SS news for most of the night last night. Every paper today is all over us. BBC football page is still full of toon stories. I agree we are not a big club…WE ARE FOOOKIN MASSSIVE..
2. “Keegan will not be able out out spend everyone to succeed”. Erm… We have a billionaire owner and have little to no debt. Every penny the club make it gets to keep. unlike most of the top 4 who will be crippled by loan repayments before too long :).
3. ” Keegan is a quitter”. You could say that, But The only time I care about is when he left last time, and that was because of the foul board we had at the time. At least the man has some pride and will not hang around for the payoff like most of the useless FECKS we have had since…
The Noise is back Lad’s, and I’ve not looked forward to going/watching the toon for some time.
LONG MAY IT CONTINUE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sloop Jon B
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Comment #8KK interrview earlier referred to ‘knowing what geordie fans what, and also knowing what they don’t want.’
Also went on about being realistic and a little patient.
I agree that he knows the score about the people who support the club- something the journalists, especially the southern based knackers, have no clue or understanding of.
Rob Kirton
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Comment #9I have almost written off this season.
However for those who say it is a decision of heart over head. When managing us, Keegan once finished as LOW as sixth. When Allardyce managed Bolton he once fished as HIGH as sixth.
This decision stacks up on both fronts, heart and head. Whether we will win anything will remain to be seem, but it won’t be for the want of trying..
Craig Allen
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Comment #10I’m with Bobby on this one. This is still a bit surreal for me. Was expecting a new face. Not sure what to make of this – if this was a safe bet from the board to keep the fans happy or the best possible choice for NUFC. Obviously, I’m backing KK with everything I got and hope he’s the special one we needed to turn our fortunes around. Looking so forward to the bolt-on match up. Can’t wait to see who we bring in as well. Luckily, he has the rest of this season to iron out a few things so that next season we can hit the ground running. HOWAY
Astidores Sanchez Blanco
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Comment #11We need to give Kevin Keegan time because the squad he has is not the squad he had all those years ago, people should not expect miracles straight away. With the departure of Allardyce, the whole structure of the club including all the sports scientists and physios and psychologists etc. will be ripped apart and he will need his own backroom staff in place.
I have my doubts about whether Keegan can develop the youth system at the club but I think the forthcoming appointments of Chris Coleman and Lee Clark are both wise moves if they occur, as a former defender Coleman will assist Keegan in sorting out our defence although I hope Nigel Pearson stays on in some sort of capacity. Terry McDermott too will hang around I’m sure.
I think it is a good appointment simply because of the lift it has given the fans and I’m just hoping it isn’t too late for him to sign a few players.
Let the good times roll 🙂
Stamford Toon
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Comment #12I share Sir Bobby’s reservations.Not sure that KK is the right man long term….will he stay when under pressure or be true to his colours and quit??? I am sure that the pressures will be much greater now than when he was last with us, that makes me nervous. He has been out of ther game for too long and things have changed. Can he get up to speed? I hope that I am wrong!!!
Charles was cetainly the man of the match last night, he was everywhere and his ball control as always great. He certainly seemd to enjoy the central midfield role. Looking forward to Saturday, just hope it will not be another 4 1/2 hr trip again.
Sloop Jon B
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Comment #13Astidores Sanchez Blanco-
I know it’s quality and not quantity that counts, but KK had a squad of 17 when we first arrived in the premiership, and several of those wouldn’t make the first 11 today.
Kevin Hann
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Comment #14I am writing an article for the bulgarian TV that shows the Prem. Can I get some help, please, folks? I know there are some amongst you who will know the things I ask!
Alright, here is what I need to know:
1. I need more information around the reserves dismissal – what was Keegan’s role in it, was it really his fault or it was the board that couldn’t handle the situation. The more perspectives I get on this, the better!
2. I need detailed information on all the transfers Keegan did – IN and OUT, by year, including fees. I need the transfers for all Newcastle, Fulham and Man City and including the years he managed these clubs in the second tier of english football.
3. I would like to get a better grip of the infamous rant he had on sir Alex, including the response throughout the country, what were the consequences on both teams and the follow-up in the relations between Keegan and Alex – I came by info they fixed it later on.
4. How did Keegan leave Newcastle? I heard he walked out in January, saying he is unable to bring the club any further. But what is in the background of this statement, did he clash with the board and what on, or he just gave in to the pressure? Again, as many perspectives as possible would be welcome!
5. What exactly happened while he was managing Fulham? I know he left them after making them champions of Division One to take the England job, but at what time did he leave, what was the response, how did Fulham react?
6. What exactly happened while he was managing England, I know the bare facts, but I need some insight of the fans who watched it all happen – how did it happen, what were the positives and negatives of his work for the national side, did he really resign in a Wembley toilet, what was the public reaction?
7. What are the circumstances of Kevin joining Man City? How was he accepted by the fans?
8. How exactly did he leave the Citizens? Reactions by the fans and pundits?
Leo*
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Comment #15king kev’s black and white army
if he is going to get 25million i would advise a cheeky bid for SWP or a.lennon from chelsea or spurs respectively
what about diego or mountinho of lisbon
someone said dudu would be good…
woodgate if we can get him, olaf melburg maybe
push the boat out, highly unlikely but micah richards haha
maybe yaya toure
the fun in football is back everyone enjoy!!!
craig chisholm
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Comment #16i think he will be in for brown or a-n-other right back and also a versatile winger , S.R.phillips sounds about right to me. i think that martins will get the nod over owen alot as martins is flair and unpredictable – like tino was. it will be interesting. i think owen will be gone in the summer.
Tom_Toon
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Comment #17Rafinha is Keegans kind of defender, and i would not be opposed to that, but excited.
I recon he’ll buy a versatile defender and a central midfielder.
Elliott
Jan 17, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Comment #18I think the players we have here already can really benefit from the style of play we’ll adopt from now – Passing. Viduka, Martins, Owen, Zogs, Duff, Milner will all benefit from a flowing style. Let’s not forget how good Barton was at Citeh too. If he’s cleared we’ll see 100% more from him.
We have a right back who is very good on the ball in Beye. Maybe Enrique will be ok but I say he’ll sign 2 CMs a RM and a LB and we COULD take off.
Diego anyone?
Berbatoon? He’d die to play at the toon under Keegan.
I really think Duff and Zogs are gonna go to another level under him though.
Let’s get Adams in as number 2 to coach the back 4.
Guinea Mag
Jan 17, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Comment #19KK needs to find and sign the modern day D. Ginola, W. Barton, Sir L. Ferdinand, P. Albert and Rob Lee during the Jan transfer window.
How much would these 5 players be worth at todays inflated prices?
Elliott
Jan 17, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Comment #20Tom Toon checked out that Chikubu guy you are in love with. Cheeky silky skills but seems a bit loose with possession, is this the case?
Seems like a Keegan player though.
Actually Luca Toni is a proper Keegan forward, how’s he going at Bayern? And Klose come to think of it. Do they play much together?
Lawman
Jan 18, 2008 at 1:13 AM
Comment #21Imagine Nakamura playing alongside Zoggy……….. wow!!!!!!