Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to his former rival, Kevin Keegan, following Keegan’s death at the age of 75. Ferguson stated that Keegan “carried the love of the game on his sleeve” and praised his impact during his time as manager of Newcastle United.
Keegan’s passing was announced on Monday, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the football world. Ferguson specifically recalled their managerial battles, noting the “fantastic” job Keegan did at Newcastle, particularly during his first stint as Magpies boss between 1992 and 1997.
Keegan’s Impact at Newcastle
During his tenure, Keegan guided Newcastle to promotion to the Premier League in 1992-93. The club subsequently finished as runners-up to Manchester United three years later, in the 1995-96 season. Ferguson highlighted how Keegan “re-energised that club” and brought a significant level of enthusiasm to the supporters.
Ferguson also acknowledged Keegan’s success in bringing talented players to the club, including David Ginola, Faustino Asprilla, and Philippe Albert, which he felt “added a bit of class to the team.” He described the challenges Newcastle posed to Manchester United during that period as “huge.”
The rivalry between the two managers was famously encapsulated by Keegan’s “I will love it if we beat them” comment during a television outburst in 1996, after Newcastle had relinquished a 12-point lead in the title race to United. This reaction followed Ferguson’s questioning of the effort Leeds and Nottingham Forest might exert against Newcastle compared to Manchester United.
Despite the intense rivalry, Ferguson recalled a meeting with Keegan at Wentworth Golf Club weeks after the season concluded, where he noted there was no animosity. Ferguson praised Keegan’s quality of holding no grudges, stating, “All aside whatever happened in previous weeks, that was soon forgotten. I really respected him for that.”
A Stellar Career and Widespread Tributes
Keegan’s career included a stellar playing spell and managerial roles beyond Newcastle. As a player, he represented Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton, and Newcastle. During his six years at Liverpool from 1971 to 1977, he secured three league titles, the European Cup, and two Uefa Cups, along with an FA Cup.
He also helped Hamburg win the Bundesliga and earned back-to-back Ballons d’Or in 1978 and 1979, making him one of only four English players to have received the award. Keegan also managed Fulham, Manchester City, and the England national team, for whom he scored 21 goals in 63 games between 1972 and 1982, and managed from February 1999 until October 2000.
Sir Kenny Dalglish, who succeeded Keegan at Liverpool in 1977, described him as “one of the very best players of his generation” and a “genuine gentleman.” Dalglish noted Keegan’s exceptional achievements on the pitch and his ability to build a team at Newcastle that brought “belief, excitement and pride” back to the club. He added that Keegan’s teams played in a way that supporters loved to watch, concluding that “Football has lost one of its true greats.”
Phil Thompson, a former England and Liverpool team-mate, called Keegan the “best of all the people I have known in football and in sport,” highlighting his humility. David Fairclough, another former Liverpool forward, recalled looking up to Keegan during his early career at the club, stating that Keegan was “the top man at Liverpool at that time.”
Current Newcastle manager Eddie Howe also paid tribute, calling Keegan an “inspiration” and a friend whose guidance and support were invaluable. Howe mentioned that Keegan showed him “incredible warmth and generosity” and was always willing to share his wisdom. Alan Shearer, whom Keegan signed for a then-world record fee of £15m in 1996, described him as his “hero,” “manager,” and “friend.”
Fans in Newcastle have also paid their respects, laying flowers at St James’ Park. Former Newcastle player Shola Ameobi was seen at the stadium, while Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson described the spontaneous tributes as “incredible.” Lifelong Newcastle supporters, including Keegan’s granddad and dad, had deep roots in the area, with his granddad, Frank, being a County Durham miner.
Shaun Dalton, a ballboy at Keegan’s debut for the Magpies in 1982, called him “an absolute legend of this city” and a “man of the people.” Lee Clark, who played under Keegan in the 1990s, expressed being “very heartbroken” by the news, describing Keegan as a “hero” who became like a “father figure” to him.
Keegan’s first arrival at Newcastle as a player in the 1982-83 season helped the club towards promotion to the First Division.
Read Also
- Fifa investigates post-final incidents involving Argentina players
- Royal Birkdale: DeChambeau accused of threatening to call Trump over Open penalty
- Chelsea in talks with Crystal Palace over signing of France international defender Maxence Lacroix
- Blackpool: Cameron Menzies stuns Luke Humphries in World Matchplay first round
Source: bbc.co.uk
As Latest News UK's Sports Reporter, Hannah Whitfield reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name covering the county circuit and Team GB at two Commonwealth Games. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from Loughborough University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Hannah lives in Bristol, where she plays club tennis and coaches a junior side. “Sport is at its best when you let the athletes tell the story.”