KEVIN KEEGAN IS NO SAINT
Southampton need someone better than bitter boss
Hull want to land Toon's Michael Owen | Tigers offer £40,000 a week, £20,000 a game
Tigers offer £40k a week, £20k a game, £10k a goal
- STAY STRONG FOR JOHN HARTSON
- ARSENE WENGER MUST SPEND
- Newcastle face huge Michael Owen bill | England striker and Mark Viduka are due extra £750,000 payout
- Manchester United chase £25m Karim Benzema | Lyon striker will be straight replacement for Carlos Tevez
- THEO WALCOTT UNDER PRESSURE
- GIVE ROB THE BOOT
- CITY MUST DUMP ROBINHO
THOSE of us weaned on football in the 1970s will always adore Kevin Keegan the player. What a shame he is now seen as a joke figure.
Like Bobby Moore before him, Keegan was a real working-class hero. Not the most naturally gifted footballer but one who with hard graft, determination and desire became the best in the business.
The charisma of Keegan the player was infectious - a trait he took into management.
I well remember the day he was unveiled as England boss a decade ago. After listening to him for 20 minutes, even we pot-bellied hacks were convinced we could all pull on a pair of boots and walk on water at Wembley.
That's what Keegan the manager does so well. He inspires. He lifts the spirit. At first.
But then he gets all bitter and twisted, throws his toys out of the pram when things don't go his way, stomps off in a huff, leaving other people to pick up the pieces.
He's done it with Newcastle (twice), Fulham, England and Manchester City. Most recently, when he was naively appointed at Newcastle to appease disgruntled fans, it was clear he had lost all the old spark.
So I don't understand why Matt Le Tissier's consortium vying to take over at Southampton would even consider Keegan as manager.
Just because he played for them heroically in the early 1980s doesn't mean he is the right boss now. I doubt if he knows the name of a single Saints player.
As for the players, they are all too young to be mesmerised by a 58-year-old.
Keegan might be a good idea for a while. But the trick will be for him to get Southampton up, then for the club get rid of him before the inevitable petulance kicks in.
Better still for Keegan to turn it down and allow a grown-up generation to forget his shortcomings as a manager and reminisce on what a great player he once was.
Now get the News of World print edition for more from Rob Shepherd
This article has 7 comments
Newcastle are a small club. There fans are narrow minded and have not got a clue about football.
Keegan has never managed a big club.
Both keegan and the geordies deserve each other.
By macum. Posted July 19 2009 at 5:04 PM.
Keegan is no spent force. He is the messiah and Ill tell you something youll be lucky if you get him. We love Keegan in Newcastle and by the looks of it you are on Mike Asley's pay roll saying negative comments about a true hero. Look at the protests when Ashley forced this man of principle out. Your comments are a disgrace - we all marched for Keegan and you should to. Btw what have you ever done except criticie from the sidelines. Keegan is god - i should know i named me cat after him !
By DANNY. Posted June 29 2009 at 9:42 PM.
I would agree (as a Toon fan) the last time he came in I was just counting the days until he spat his dummy again. If he cares for the club so much he wouldn't walk away at the slightest problem, be a man, fight your corner and deal with the outcome. Cowards run but managers manage
By Ian Cowx. Posted June 28 2009 at 7:45 PM.
totally disagree. If Southampton, or you, think they can attract a manager with the pedigree and success in getting clubs promoted that KK has they are deluded.
If Ashley allowed KK to have control over transfers and day to day running of the club NUFC wouldnt have been anywhere near a relegation battle, never mind going down.
By Paul B. Posted June 28 2009 at 12:35 PM.
The pressure for Alan Shearer to work with Keegan etc was just desperation. KK is now a primadonna without any of his old talent.
By Michael J. Posted June 28 2009 at 8:21 AM.
This would be an excellent move for Southampton, Keegan has achieved promotions with Newcastle, Man City and Fulham there are not many managers who have achieved promotions with three seperate clubs in this country with southampton he would make it four.
By s ferrell. Posted June 21 2009 at 2:26 PM.
I agree with you, Keegan is a spent force . He shouldrong have never been given the chance to
reurn to Newcastle . I said at the time he would
be away by Christmas, I was prooved wrong as he
left again in one of his strops in September. Saints
you are better off without him .
By Ron Mawston. Posted June 21 2009 at 12:10 PM.