KEEGAN IS BACK

Mr Bunbury wrote...

I am so happy...Been praying for this since Sam got the chop.

The Messiah and God (Big Al) working side by side is a dream come true.

Now all they need is time...

Posted by: Mr Bunbury  | January 16, 2008 4:49 PM

US Magpie Fan wrote...

This couldn't come at a better time. We need to defeat Stoke, and this will have the crowd at St. James Park more excited than they've been since I've been a supporter.

Posted by: US Magpie Fan  | January 16, 2008 5:31 PM

Rob wrote...

The 3rd coming!!!!

But will it be third time lucky?!

We all wait with baited breath as we drop to our knees..

The Messiah is back!!!

Posted by: Rob  | January 16, 2008 6:13 PM

Duncan Baines wrote...

I think we now should expand the stadium to 60,000 as Shepherd was planning to.

Posted by: Duncan Baines  | January 16, 2008 6:14 PM

Paul James Hopper wrote...

Well, i am over the moon. Well done Mr. Ashley! It has to be said though, Keegan is very brave to come back to a club where he is a legend and risk this reputation. First job Kev? Get Barton out.

Posted by: Paul James Hopper  | January 16, 2008 6:21 PM

Doreen Forsyth wrote...

Last time I hear that Kevin came down Westgat Road on a donkey..I wonder how he'll arrive this time?
Fantastic.

Posted by: Doreen Forsyth  | January 16, 2008 6:22 PM

Rigsby wrote...

Fantastic news! Let's all get behind him and the team and bring proper football back to SJP.

Need some goal scorets though.

Posted by: Rigsby  | January 16, 2008 6:28 PM

inky wrote...

Fantastic,someone with a good past connection to the club,now give him some money, some time and to all the press in the Northeast keep off his back and let him get on with the job because this is one gutsy move.
Good luck KK

Posted by: inky  | January 16, 2008 6:34 PM

FRANKIE BOY wrote...

I AM nEWCASTLE FAN LIVING IN LANCASHIRE
I AM SURE THERE IS A JINX ON THE CLUB.
SERIOUSLY HOW CAN A CLUB AS BIG AS UNITED GO SO LONG WITHOUT A TROPHY.
I AM LUCKY TO HAVE LIVED IN THE DAYS OF SILVERWARE 2 FA CUPS THOSE WERE THE DAYS. WHO EVER GETS THE MANAGERS JOB SHOULD HAVE UNITED BLOOD RUNNING THROUGH HIS VIENS AS SHOULD THE PLAYERS BUT ALAS THERE ARE BUT A FEW ON DISPLAY

Posted by: FRANKIE BOY  | January 16, 2008 6:45 PM

adrian naughton wrote...

was there the first time around, now working in london but my heart is still in newcastle with my family and friends, i will be with our natiion all the way as this time we will achieve what we set out to do last time around, cmon the toon!

Posted by: adrian naughton  | January 16, 2008 6:49 PM

William P wrote...

Let me tell you, It was Mike and Chris's first and last piece of the jigsaw to get KK back in the hot seat, And let me tell you how good this feels. Like I said the last time I posted welcome back to the good times! HA Way The Lads......

Posted by: William P  | January 16, 2008 6:54 PM

roy and ben wrote...

None of the names for the job blew me away. I'm feeling confused, overwhelmed, shocked, excited, warm, fuzzy and even a little bit worried. I'm not sure how it will work out but i'm so excited about supporting the toon again.
Welcome home Kevin, never thought it would happen.
All the best, haway the lads!!!

Posted by: roy and ben  | January 16, 2008 6:55 PM

Zahid from Pakistan wrote...

Thank God......smething to smile about...he will make our team exciting nd make us love them as we always do.we already hav a good squad maybe a big defender is needed but as far as attacking is concernd we hav the lot.KIng Kev will surely make Michael owen a great player again.Because he is a proven scorer all he needs now is luck thats been lacking for da whole club..im so happy for my club newcastle.....hey im here in asia i would like anyone of you to tell me about newcastle as a city ....ive never been there!!??...write to me at mzjamjad@hotmail.com

Posted by: Zahid from Pakistan  | January 16, 2008 6:59 PM

gary catton wrote...

king kev back as a black & white now all we need is big al by his side & thats the managers sorted out then for the team their need to get rid of the rubbish duff for one as i watch the stoke game & he give the ball away every time he got it wot a waste of 5 mill he was mike ashly & chris mote have to give kk time like john hall did back in 1992 & we all know wot happend then dont we good luck kev & lets do it again.From a black & white fan who move 2 mths ago once again good luck KING KEV.

Posted by: gary catton  | January 16, 2008 7:12 PM

yiannis mazis wrote...

FROM AGHIOS NIKOLAOS KRETA GREECE-KEVIN KEEGAN FOR EVER-THANKS MR MIKE ASHLEY....

Posted by: yiannis mazis  | January 16, 2008 7:33 PM

Stephen Buchan wrote...

Love it LOVE it! The feelgood factor is back. It will take time to get us back challenging the top 4 but King Kev will get the time to do it that is for certain!!!

Posted by: Stephen Buchan  | January 16, 2008 7:35 PM

Olle Qvennerstedt wrote...

The best news in months, welcome back King Kev, as a fan for the last almost 60 years I now feel that we have a manager that can make the good old times come back again.
I´m too far away (Sweden) to hear SJP singing live, so thank you all mighty that the television has been invented.
Black and white for ever.

Posted by: Olle Qvennerstedt  | January 16, 2008 7:37 PM

Keith mc quillan wrote...

Brilliant news! Just hope king kev can emulate the good old days.will be watching intently in the pubs of guernsey! Come on the toon!!

Posted by: Keith mc quillan  | January 16, 2008 8:15 PM

Sy wrote...

What price a massive signing by the end January...?

Posted by: Sy  | January 16, 2008 8:34 PM

Thomas Ryan wrote...

Just awoke in Australia to the wonderful news - talk about Christmas coming early! I have followed United from afar since 1974. Here's to the future!
Thomas Ryan.

Posted by: Thomas Ryan  | January 16, 2008 8:41 PM

Big G wrote...

In Nov & Dec, I said that Messrs Ashley and Mort would do the right thing. Now they have. They have also understood the heart of our club. The fans. Now, COME ON LADS. Get behind the team, give patience to those who need it. Even if we don't win anything in 3 years, it'll be hellish fun watching, as it always was. Remember, KK left because of Shepherd. Shepherd gone, hey presto, Special K is back.
Cheeazz
G

Posted by: Big G  | January 16, 2008 8:42 PM

STEVE wrote...

GET IN!!! when i found out the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.............ALL HAIL THE MESSIAH......THE NEW ERA IS UNDERWAY.......

Posted by: STEVE  | January 16, 2008 8:45 PM

Mohamed Firoz, India wrote...

I just cant explain how happy i am. Iam just over the moon. I had been a life long Toon fan. As it is over here, iam the only Toon fan around. Havnt met a toon fan yet. I always get picked at by all those manure and chelski fans here. Everything hit an alltime low following last weeks result. But now i can look forward to bright times. Lets all get behind King Kev as show the world what the geordie nation is all about

Posted by: Mohamed Firoz, India  | January 16, 2008 9:00 PM

Paul Patterson wrote...

I said last week, when defending my fellow Newcastle fans, we are not a greedy lot, we don’t constantly bang on about trophies (Or lack of ‘em) we simply LOVE our football.

I have also said that we have a good squad that under previous regime’s, was completely wasted, with some players that we LOVE and some we actually find it baffling they were even signed in the first place.

With Kevin Keegan, we have a Newcastle fan, a man who we LOVE and a man who we actually respect the thoughts of, unlike previous incumbents of the hotseat- What chance has the club had, when we the fans have raised question (En Mass) about some appointments in the past?

We Newcastle folk are a crazy breed, not expecting a trophy, (It would be great though) but it’s the style of football we LOVE, not ’Percentage Football’ just football is what we want to watch.

What we have been watching in the last three years, certainly the last eight months has NOT been football, certainly not the kind of football were going to LOVE.

I’ve been imagining players Keegan might want to sign, players that are in his own image, player he’d LOVE to have playing around him, if he were still on the park.

Then I thought- Well, isn’t Emre a Keegan type of player? Isn’t Milner? Isn’t N’Zogbia? Maybe even Enrique? Emre could be a Beardsley, N’Zogbia- Ginola, Milner- Gillespie, Enrique- Beresford, the players are remarkably similar, they are there, already in place.

I also stated in December, that IF we were to get Keegan in, not for a minute believing it would happen, but if we did, I’d be confidant of a European finish- time has moved on and the table is a bit stretched now.

But hey, this is Newcastle United- The club we all LOVE. Enjoy it.!

Paul.

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | January 16, 2008 9:21 PM

ray wrote...

Shepherd is a joke. I have faith in KK bringing us up to table. See the teams morale is up and killing Stoke with 4-1 (playing 10 men agiants Stoke).

Posted by: ray  | January 16, 2008 9:57 PM

Steinar Ranheim wrote...

Well, well, well. One could always hope, but who could have imagined that Ashley would go for KK, and that KK would say yes. FANTASTIC. FAIRY TALE COME TRUE! Must also say that KK is brave. He's risking his hero status on Tyneside for another go. But if he succeeds...If he succeeds...Now, give KK the time needed, the money needed. And if KK isn't given the time needed, who then on God's Earth is going to be given the time?

Posted by: Steinar Ranheim  | January 16, 2008 10:21 PM

laygatelad wrote...

This does blow my socks off !!

Posted by: laygatelad  | January 16, 2008 10:33 PM

Phil wrote...

Brilliant!!! Thank you Mike Ashley for listening to the fans - you really care!! Ecstatic, over the moon .. I'm walking in a Keegan wonderland. Let's all cheer - King Kev will start sorting out the squad to bring the best out of them, then build where we're weak. It will take some time, but as they say, "I'm back..."

Posted by: Phil  | January 16, 2008 10:35 PM

Chris wrote...

Belgium calling

Unreal, frightening, exciting, out of this world. A supporter for 40 years and I've never felt such a sense of expectation. It's like having 5 numbers on the lotto and wondering if number 6 will come.
My next dream....he get's the opportunity to experience beating man u and ferguson to win a the championship...or why not in the FA cup final this year .... 6.0 now there's number 6 !!

Posted by: Chris  | January 16, 2008 10:40 PM

Dave Lynn wrote...

Woke up in Australia to listen to the Stoke match and read the news. Dreamed about it, hoped for it, longed for it. How do I feel? Joyful!!

Posted by: Dave Lynn  | January 16, 2008 10:42 PM

Iain Graham wrote...

Absolutely delighted!!!!!

I thought this would happen and backed Keegan at 15-1 on Betfair.

Frankly winning some cash is secondary to feeling that King Kevin can instill some passion and confidence into the players - it has always been there in us fans (the passion that is lol) and this can just inflame everything.

BTW Mohamed I know how you feel - I lived in Thailand for 7 years and worked all over Asia and it was hard work finding anyone who didn't support one of the big 4. Hope for you and all of us that we will be back up where we belong sooner rather than later. Hats off to you for supproting the Toon!!

Posted by: Iain Graham  | January 16, 2008 10:54 PM

Roger Walton wrote...

Fantastic

First move has to be the sacking of Joey Barton. A true disgrace who doesn't deserve to breathe the same air as KK.

Posted by: Roger Walton  | January 16, 2008 11:11 PM

Brad Morris wrote...

ON CLOUD NINE!!!

Couldn't have asked for a better outcome!!!

Posted by: Brad Morris  | January 16, 2008 11:17 PM

Quoc Nguyen from Oztralia wrote...

KEEEGAN!!!
Now we can look forward to giving opposing teams a real hiding!
Come on toon!

Posted by: Quoc Nguyen from Oztralia  | January 16, 2008 11:29 PM

RAY WILSON wrote...

Hi Lee- I am ecstatic-I was jumping for joy from the minute I heard the news today and I have been glued to my tv sports station all day- Well done Mike and Chris-you have brought joy back to all of Geordie land. Somehow the 350 mile trip from my Wirral home wont seem so long on matchdays-this is the best thing that could have happened to Newcastle.BS and most of the others before him {except Sir Bobby } can all go and get lost now- Kev allways bought wisely-and I am sure he will again-not only that he will allow the players to do what we all crave for-play football with the ball on the ground and with the feet. I said on this blog yesterday we should bring back the king and now we have- Mike should now think about adding another 15000 seats -because make no mistake -if Chris Mort and Mike support him -King Kev will deliver -and you wont get in to St. James Park-as I said earlier on this blog -can any one ever forget the KK era before -thousands locked out -but still turning up. This is not only very good news for the beutiful game it is very good news for the city itself-Newcastle will be rejoicing and truly re-juvenated. Kev-welcome home -now is the time to bring AS in as support and let him learn the managerial ropes -there can not be a better time than now for this process to take place. Thanks Mike- now make sure Kev gets your support over signings-he will certainly have the full support of the toon army. I just dont think I am going to sleep tonight. NO MORE OF BIG SAMS DREARY FOOTBALL-I THINK I AM IN HEAVEN. RAY WILSON

Posted by: RAY WILSON  | January 17, 2008 12:01 AM

Matt Van-Rossi wrote...

My god what can I say. Growing up as a youngster during the KK early days as our manager, this really gives me a warm feeling. Agreeing with many previous posts, I don't know whether to feel excited, dissapointed or ecstatic to be honest, but lads, listen... KK brought our expectations up so high in the early days so why not again? Why?

Realistically this appointment has to be positive, I'd rather have KK at the helm compared to some of the incapable names banded about in previous days, Redknapp and Hughes, both "decent" mid-table mediocre managers, haven't really achieved anything great. Now we all would've loved Mourinho but that would never of happened, no matter how big of a payday.

Now, everybody lets get behind them, not just KK, but the players, the board, and even some of our own when we go down 2-0 as we used to!

Let the good times roll! Howay the Lads!

PS- Amazing to see all the international fans on our local papers website. Truly great that you all aren't
glory supporters, and we still have the worldwide appeal we used to.

Cheers.

Posted by: Matt Van-Rossi  | January 17, 2008 1:56 AM

Markus wrote...

A roller-coaster ride it will be and Ashley has gone with his heart. Is this wrong? Dont know and to be honest I dont care. Can it be any worse than having one senior player facing 18 months in jail or 2 players fighting each other on the pitch or buying an 8 mil player who was on a free 6 months earlier? If Keegan successfully survives the drop, to me he will be the hero I remember and well worth the money. Of course, this includes a win against Sunderland (and they go down).

Posted by: Markus  | January 17, 2008 2:08 AM

Mick Latimer, Geordie Downunder wrote...

Heard the news of the return of KK at 4am in tasmania; and we haven't stopped smiling. Wish we could be at SJP to share the joy with the Toon. Optimism is racing through the veins again. Howay the lads!!

Posted by: Mick Latimer, Geordie Downunder  | January 17, 2008 2:25 AM

Jon wrote...

Fantastic! - but please lets give him some time to work the magic. He's got to start with the current squad and low morale in the club. Miracles may be possible but not overnight.

Posted by: Jon  | January 17, 2008 2:43 AM

Ronnie Busker Lambert wrote...

Lee, after your mention of Bylic playing a mean guitar and getting Ronnie Busker, that's me folks, to knock a new Toon song together to ' lift ' the fans, I finished my demo to bring it to Chronicle offices at 4pm. today for your approval. Well Chron switchboard couldn't locate you or anybody to take my call. I suggested that you were all, maybe at St. James' Park early for tonight's match. Then just after 4-25pm. I got an e-mail from Biffa at NUFC.COM saying, '' It's Keegan.'' Then I knew where you lot were. Well, as you well know from my blogs, it's always been Keegan for me, possibly with big AL but what the hell. With or without, this sees my dream of Kev's unfinished business at Toon dramatically being resurrected. I chanced queueing for a ticket tonight and was duly rewarded with some of the best football I've seen here since the wee man left us for a breather. Now he's got the perfect board to help him realise his and our dream of winning something, anything as long as we're entertained. We'll prove to that sack of sh** down south that we don't crave world domination, only to occasionally stuff their sides and maybe win something. Now they'll see what the True Geordie, faithful, patient, humble supporter is about. I'll drop that song off tomorrow Lee....and it will lift the fans, especially now.

Posted by: Ronnie Busker Lambert  | January 17, 2008 2:49 AM

bazza wrote...

woke up to radio announcement keegan has returned to newcastle united could not believe it.... what a fantastic selection wow!!! The tyne bridge will swing once more, just like the days of "wor jackie" when we won the cup three times in five years.
excited geordie - in new zealand
let the good times begin again.....

Posted by: bazza  | January 17, 2008 3:55 AM

Johnnie Mc wrote...

Saudi Arabia Mags Calling !!!
Wish I had been in the Three Bulls Heeds last night with the Blyth Mags..areet Peg,Batesey....How Wey The Lads......

Posted by: Johnnie Mc  | January 17, 2008 4:02 AM

alvan wrote...

This is the best news for a long time! I'm a magpie fans from Singapore. I have follow Newcastle since Malcom Macdonald era. I still can recall watching the cup final losing to Man. city 3-0 on delay telecast as a school boy.Can we have days like that again?

Posted by: alvan  | January 17, 2008 7:44 AM

Simon T. wrote...

Keegan is a quitter. There used to be rumours almost every week that he'd resigned again - and then he did! Before he quit Fulham, and England, and Manchester City... He quit England because he said he didn't understand the tactics any more, and that he'd been found out!

Only in Newcastle would the supporters be glad to have Keegan. Anyone else would be in uproar!

He's not even seen a game in over a year - even on TV - and that's a direct quote from him!

Note this down: he will galvanise the club and get immediate results on adrenaline and momentum alone. Maybe even keep the club up. A good start to next season would be a bonus.

Then when the momentum calms down, and tactics come into play, he'll get found out. And he'll quit.

Enjoy it while it lasts, Geordies! He'll be gone by the end of next season.

Your problems have only just begun...

Posted by: Simon T.  | January 17, 2008 8:08 AM

Mark Henderson wrote...

This even made the main news in New Zealand. I've been singing Keegan wonderland all day!! Strap yourselves in, it's going to be bumpy....but who cares.

Posted by: Mark Henderson  | January 17, 2008 8:12 AM

Dave B wrote...

Absolutely delighted – bring it on. Had to laugh at Sky Sports last night when the presenter asked everyone to offer a positive view of the KK return. Paul Walsh looked like he’d swallowed a lemon - priceless!

Posted by: Dave B  | January 17, 2008 8:15 AM

paul cowen wrote...

welcome back kev! we're all behind you and will be through thick and thin.our season starts now,c'mon the toon!

Posted by: paul cowen  | January 17, 2008 8:39 AM

Mike K wrote...

Unbelievable - could only happen @ the Toon, eh?

Another footie starved expat (China). Visiting this blog for the 1st time as I've been so sick of the writers at the Guardian and the bile that they deliberately whip up against us.

Sure, they're saying we 'deserve' KK/AS since Board,players,fans are clueless & unrealistic. Many predict/want faliure.

The players aren't that bad - they just forget which team they're playing for.

So time now for the Gallowgate lads & lasses to be that 12th man & prove the detractors wrong. (Anyone at the Celtic friendly this Summer? Then you heard their awesome support.)

So next time I tune into a match, home or away let's have it - Blaydon Races at full volume until the opposition fans are quiet (won't take long at any of the 'Big4') & their players so intimidated that they're reviewing their shredded wheat on the touchline.

Appreciative sportsman-like applause for good play/ers (even if it's the opposition, tho' not too often, mind)

Last night's game wasn't proof of KK's touch but what money on a performance rather than panto? Stoke are exactly the kind of side to make any top team squirm in a cup tie. Great timing for the announcement. Had it not come, a mostly empty & silent stadium - a man down for an hour & it could so easily have gone to pot. (I never get excited by early leads, we throw them away all too often..)

The National Press are NOT going to let up on their 'campaign' and could well ramp it up, aided and abetted by at least 1 EPL manager, in the hope that the pressure gets to KK. (does he have a no walk out clause?)

Give him the LOVE, get the chavs to sharpen their wit & not the knives, act the genial geordies and prove them all wrong.

The world IS watching!

sorry for the long post but after thinking the return shouldn't happen... I'm thinking it's the smartest move.

And so what if Ash has "listened to the fans" - it's woor team, your money and it is a game after all - let the rest treat it like a business & demand results like share dividends (safe secure offshore, tax deductable....blah blah)

Howay the lads!

Posted by: Mike K  | January 17, 2008 2:24 PM

Ronnie Busker Lambert wrote...

Simon T. I bet your surname ends with wit. NA-NA-NA-NA-NA !!!! You bitter, twisted, jealous little devil. You did well not revealing your home town though it isn't hard to surmise, which really betrays the sadness you must live with. Wherever it is, I honestly hope that your local team stays up for the pleasure of 2 derby games a year and six points to the greatest team in the north-east, and the greatest supporters in the land. You really need to see a doctor bonny lad, cos raging jealousy can bring on a heart attack. Anyway, what are you doing on a GEORDIE blog, don't you have one of your own? Yours sincerely, An ECSTATIC Toon fan.

Posted by: Ronnie Busker Lambert  | January 17, 2008 3:03 PM