It was great entertainment listening to BBC Radio Five Live’s 606 football phone-in last night as Havant & Waterlooville and Hereford fans praised the giant killing FA Cup wins, but mostly for the calls regarding the return of Kevin Keegan to succeed Sam Allardyce as the Newcastle United manager.
Most of the callers were delighted, some ecstatic and delusional, for the second coming. One caller described the fans leaving St James Park last night singing Walking in a Keegan Wonderland to the tune of Winter Wonderland.
King Kev was going to lead the Geordies to success by playing the cavalier football that brought us two 4-3 Premier League games against Liverpool and a 5-0 drubbing of Manchester United with goals from Darren Peacock, David Ginola, Les Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and Phillip Albert. Even presenter Tim Lovejoy was mad for it, saying he had been walking round with a smile ever since he heard the news. But then a couple of Newcastle fans appeared more sceptical and in line with my own thoughts.
There’s no doubt that the appointment of Kevin Keegan will lift the fans and the players in the short term; and the likelihood of them playing a part in some very high scoring exciting football matches can only be a good thing for the Premier League, Newcastle supporters and all fans of the beautiful game. However, apart from the aforementioned results, what did Kevin Keegan actually achieve as manager of Newcastle?
Twice they finished second to Manchester United in the Premier League, once throwing a twelve point lead away, and when the pressure began to mount, Kevin Keegan walked out on Newcastle halfway through the season after bringing Alan Shearer to St. James Park.
Since then Keegan has walked out on Fulham, England and Manchester City.
I personally think Mike Ashley has gone for the short term fix in true Newcastle style. I was never a great fan of Keegan the player but what he lacked in natural ability he made up for with enthusiasm and personality. I don’t believe Keegan is a good manager but he can motivate players for a season or two before cracks begin to show.
Keegan will receive a longer honeymoon period than any other manager could expect. But the truth of the matter is that once Newcastle begins playing exciting, attacking cavalier football once again, they will soon expect more; and that means Keegan will have to deliver silverware.
Newcastle play Manchester United on 23 February and Keegan will love it if they beat them!
1 comment so far
1 soren // Jan 17, 2008 at 10:48 am
What have Newcastle won in recent history under any manager? The Fairs cup in 1969 is a long time ago. I would rather see my team in contention and playing great football regardless of silverware personally. I am not a Newcastle fan but I am a Keegan fan.