Kevin Keegan: An Intimate Portrait of Football's Last Romantic

by IanRidley (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2008

  $3.25

  On 16 January 2008, Kevin Keegan announced his remarkable decision to once more become manager of Newcastle F.C. - it was, without doubt, the news story of the season. Now, less than a year later, Keegan again dominates the back pages. A disastrous break down in his relationship with the club's owner resulted in Keegan once more walking out on the club and the fans by whom he is so adored. It was the latest twist in the story of a truly incredible life. There can be few managers who have divided public opinion throughout their career as Keegan has. A legendary player, Keegan never intended to make the transition from pitch to dugout and defied his own and others expectations when he first took the managerial reins at St James' Park, in 1992. Keegan quickly became a hero in the North East -- first taking the club to the Premiership, and then narrowly missing out on winning it. It was in the heat of that now infamous duel with Alex Ferguson and his Manchester United side, though, that the cracks first began to show.There were signs of tactical and psychological weakness in Keegan; frailties that would come to haunt him later in his career -- most evidently during his disastrous spell in charge of England. A revered sports journalist with unparalleled access to insider exclusives, Ian Ridley is the perfect man for the task of understanding what it is that makes Keegan tick. Training his brilliantly incisive and penetrating gaze on Keegan, Ridley offers an unprecedented insight into the mind of this most enigmatic of men.

• Used

  Paperback
  2009

  $3.25

  At Liverpool in the early 1970s Kevin Keegan won three First Division titles, two EUFA Cups, two FA Cups and the European Cup. At Hamburg he was crowned Footballer of the Year two years running, won the Bundeslinga title in 1978-79 and reached the European Cup Final. At Southampton he was voted PFA Player of the Year and was awarded an OBE for his services to Association Football. In his debut season with Newcastle United he helped the club to promotion and he captained the England team for six years from 1976-1982.
  
  As a manager his career has been no less newsworthy, although not always for the right reasons. Five heady and successful years at Newcastle from 1992-1997 were followed by more controversial spells with Fulham, England and Manchester City. In 2005, Keegan announced his retirement. Then, in 2008, he made headlines by returning to Newcastle United, the scene of his greatest triumphs -- an announcement which was greeted ecstatically by Newcastle supporters -- and no less sensationally resigned in acrimonious circumstances only nine months later.
  
  A revered sports journalist with unparalleled access to insider exclusives, Ian Ridley is the perfect man for the task of understanding what it is that makes Kevin Keegan tick. Training his brilliantly incisive and penetrating gaze on Keegan, Ridley offers an unprecedented insight into the mind of this most enigmatic of men.