Jimbo 175 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Newcastle United will make a sensational offer to Kevin Keegan to return as manager after Harry Redknapp turned the job down yesterday. The club plan to link the former England and Newcastle boss in a dream partnership with Tyneside hero Alan Shearer in a bid to erase the damage done to Mike Ashley's reputation by Redknapp's shock about-turn. Redknapp decided to stay at Portsmouth rather than switch his allegiance to the club which sacked Sam Allardyce last Wednesday after barely eight months in charge. Now Ashley, Newcastle's billionaire owner, will attempt to appease supporters by turning to Keegan, who became a legend on Tyneside following his time as a player there in the Eighties and as United's most successful post-War manager in a five-year period in the Nineties. Keegan, 57 next month, has been out of football since quitting as Manchester City manager in March 2005 but, in a recent interview, he refused to rule out a return to management. Keegan said: "I am 56 but you never say never in anything. If it doesn't happen in the next two or three years I'll be 60 and then it might be too late to return." Shearer, whose name was chanted by Newcastle fans during last night's crushing 6-0 defeat at Manchester United, has intimated that he would be interested in taking a managerial role at his hometown club if approached, and he would relish the opportunity opportunity of working alongside the manager who paid a club record £16million for him when he moved from Blackburn to Tyneside in 1996. Yesterday a Newcastle source confirmed that the club would prefer to appoint an experienced manager, adding weight to demands for a Keegan-Shearer package. "Chris Mort [the club's chairman] and Mike Ashley have a good relationship with Alan Shearer," said the source. "They are well aware of the many qualities he could bring to the club but in the present situation we feel that an experienced manager with a proven track record is required. "The most important thing is getting the right man. There is no time frame on the appointment. It is vital that Newcastle get it right this time and it will take as long as is necessary to do that." The source also suggested that Redknapp's reluctance to move to the North-East from his £8million home on the Dorset coast at exclusive Sandbanks was behind the Portsmouth manager's change of heart. "Harry raised the subject of being able to fly to the North-East," said the source. "We have always believed that the manager would be somebody based full-time in Newcastle. "That was a major stumbling block and it was clear if we talked about the issue there was no point in going any further. "Managing Newcastle is a massive job and a huge responsibility. It requires total commitment." Keegan, who is currently running his Soccer Circus coaching school in Glasgow, was instrumental in establishing Newcastle as a Premier League force. He took them to within four points of the title in 1996 when they finished runners-up to United, having looked almost certain to win their first championship for nearly 70 years when they held an 11-point lead over their nearest rivals at the end of February. It was a disappointment that, coupled with behind-the- scenes disagreements with the then club chairman Sir John Hall and his executives, led to Keegan's shock resignation the following season. Doubts over Shearer's willingness to work as a No 2 have been expressed by former Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson. Writing in The Mail on Sunday, Sir Bobby, who managed the club for five years until he was axed in August 2004, said: "I know most Geordie fans would like Kevin Keegan to come back so Alan could learn from him. But I don't see Shearer as anyone's No2. If anybody came in, they would have to help Shearer rather than the other way round. "Make Shearer the boss or there is no point in having him." Other names in the frame are current bookmakers' favourite Mark Hughes, but sources close to the Blackburn manager suggest he would rather bide his time before making his next move, which could be to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. There is also support for Gerard Houllier, who has been working for the French FA after a successful stint as coach at Lyon. The former Liverpool manager, who knows the English game well after his stint at Anfield from 1998-2004, is close to Ashley's friend, property developer and former Tottenham vicechairman Paul Kemsley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shearergol 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Thinking realistically, I'd rather take a chance on Shearer with Keegan/Robson/Houllier, than get turned down by the likes of Hughes/Boothroyd/Redknapp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manc-mag 1 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Whats Iam McFaul doing these days like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 I'd be pleased with that.. ish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RlCO 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Completely contradicts the words of Redknapp and Storrie so I'm inclined to think this 'source' is just some agenda pusher who wants Keegan back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fink! 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 (edited) Looks like these two lads got it spot on Edited January 12, 2008 by The Fink! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manc-mag 1 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Come to think of it I'll take anyone who will show McDermott the door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shearergol 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Completely contradicts the words of Redknapp and Storrie so I'm inclined to think this 'source' is just some agenda pusher who wants Keegan back. You believe what Redknapp said? I don't, for one minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RlCO 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Come to think of it I'll take anyone who will show McDermott the door. Well that wouldn't be Keegan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manc-mag 1 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Completely contradicts the words of Redknapp and Storrie so I'm inclined to think this 'source' is just some agenda pusher who wants Keegan back. You believe what Redknapp said? I don't, for one minute. He's like a cheeky Dickensian pickpocket is Harry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RlCO 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Completely contradicts the words of Redknapp and Storrie so I'm inclined to think this 'source' is just some agenda pusher who wants Keegan back. You believe what Redknapp said? I don't, for one minute. Plenty of people have a reason to show Redknapp up as a liar, so why when given a gilt edged opportunity like this do they not come out and prove it? It stinks like Anal's shite this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manc-mag 1 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Come to think of it I'll take anyone who will show McDermott the door. Well that wouldn't be Keegan. Yes and I don't want him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uguysarefunny 0 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Come to think of it I'll take anyone who will show McDermott the door. did you see the shot on Setanta of Viduka getting set to come on , Mr Mcdermot had a very serious face accompanied by what you can only guess was some very incitefull dialogue .. Mark Viduka looked like Mr McDermot didn't exist , (he was either very focused on getting on the pitch or very tired of hearing what Mr McDermot had said a thousand times before) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Face 29 Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Come to think of it I'll take anyone who will show McDermott the door. did you see the shot on Setanta of Viduka getting set to come on , Mr Mcdermot had a very serious face accompanied by what you can only guess was some very incitefull dialogue .. Mark Viduka looked like Mr McDermot didn't exist , (he was either very focused on getting on the pitch or very tired of hearing what Mr McDermot had said a thousand times before) Completely ignoring him. Terry Mac was probably going through the form for Haymarket on Monday though to be fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsy 0 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Thinking realistically, I'd rather take a chance on Shearer with Keegan/Robson/Houllier, than get turned down by the likes of Hughes/Boothroyd/Redknapp Agree with that however if things go pear shaped, what will happen to the status of Keegan and Shearer? Will fans turn on them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketsbaia 0 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Wow. The Daily (Hate) Mail and there exclusives. Just yesterday they were saying Redknapp was a done deal. I wonder what info they have this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketsbaia 0 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 (edited) Come to think of it I'll take anyone who will show McDermott the door. did you see the shot on Setanta of Viduka getting set to come on , Mr Mcdermot had a very serious face accompanied by what you can only guess was some very incitefull dialogue .. Mark Viduka looked like Mr McDermot didn't exist , (he was either very focused on getting on the pitch or very tired of hearing what Mr McDermot had said a thousand times before) To be fair... "There's a cracker racing at the 12:40 at Epsom the'morra!" Must get annoying Edited January 13, 2008 by Skol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest James_coDurham Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Keegan said: "I am 56 but you never say never in anything. If it doesn't happen in the next two or three years I'll be 60 and then it might be too late to return." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken 119 Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 When they turn it down it'll be to Steve McClaren. I can see it now. Fuckin' ridiculous situation to be in at this time of the season and so close to relegation... Fuckin' circus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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