KEEGAN, Joseph Kevin OBE
Manager 1992-1997
b. Armthorpe, nr Doncaster, 14th February 1951

WITH the Magpies in a dire predicament as the club's centenary year opened in 1992, former Magpie playing legend Kevin Keegan was appointed manager at St James Park - his first taste of the football hot-seat.

Teaming up with new Chairman, Sir John Hall, the duo began to turn Newcastle United into one of the country's megaclubs. Keegan again acted as a catalyst and United's fans rallied to the call.

His judgement as a manager was first-class and he fashioned a series of celebrated line-ups packed with players comfortable on the ball and who wished to play the game in an entertaining fashion.

The First Division Championship was achieved in style and then the Premiership was taken by storm. Newcastle had been transformed into a club to rival Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal as England's best.

But after his side blew a 12-point lead to hand Manchester United the title in 1996, Keegan stunned the North East by resigning in January 1997 declaring that he had taken Newcastle as far as he could and maintained he had no interest in returning to the game.

However the pull of football was to strong for Kevin and he returned to the game in September 1997 as Chief Operating Officer at Fulham. He then left to manage England but resigned after a poor start to the 2002 World Cup campaign.

He joined Manchester City and took them back into the Premiership. Kevin Keegan remains United's finest ever signing, both as a player and as a manager, but he also a successful pop singer, recording three singles during the seventies.

For his services to soccer during his playing career, he was awarded the OBE in 1982. To many in the game he epitomises everything that a professional footballer and manager should be.

And on January 16, 2008, it was announced that Kevin Keegan would return to Newcastle United as manager.

The 56-year-old was officially unveiled as the new United boss on January 18 and was the first managerial appointment of owner Mike Ashley and Chairman Chris Mort.

Keegan resigned from his position as manager on September 4, 2008.

Kevin Keegan NUFC managerial record
1991/92 Divn 1 (old): Pld 16 W07 D02 L07 Pts23
1992/93 Divn 1 (old): Pld 46 W29 D09 L08 Pts96; FAC:R5; LC:R3
1993/94 Premiership: Pld 42 W23 D08 L11 Pts77; FAC:R4; LC:R3
1994/95 Premiership: Pld 42 W20 D12 L10 Pts72; FAC:R6; LC:R4; Uefa:R2
1995/96 Premiership: Pld 38 W24 D06 L08 Pts78; FAC:R3; LC:R4
1996/97 Premiership: Pld 21 W11 D04 L06 Pts37; LC:R4 Uefa:QF

League Record: Pld205 W114 D41 L40

Total spent on players: c£60m
Total recouped on players: c£21.5m