Kevin Keegan’s most memorable moments – Fergie rant, pitch brawl and head tennis
Kevin Keegan twice won the Ballon D’or as a player and went on to electrify the fans of his beloved Newcastle. Here, we take a look at some of his most memorable moments from a storied life
King Kev’s famous postmatch meltdown in 1996(Image: SkySports/Youtube)
He was the son of a coal miner who would go on to become one of England’s greatest ever players. The superstar with a trademark perm, known as “King Kev” by the fanatical Toon Army, Kevin Keegan touched the lives of all who met him and millions of fans.
Born in the mining village of Armthorpe near Doncaster, South Yorkshire on February 14, 1951, Kev won the league three times in England with Liverpool and once in Germany with Hamburg.
He twice won the Ballon D’or as a player and went on to electrify the fans of his father’s beloved Newcastle, whom he later managed during a turbulent period in the 90s. Here, we take a look at some of his most memorable moments from a storied life.
Kevin famously roared: “I will love it if we beat them”(Image: SkySports/Youtube)
Fergie rant
After taking his beloved Newcastle to the Premier League, he lead them to a shock title charge during the 1995-96 season which saw the Magpies go toe-to-toe with Manchester United and Keegan pit his wits against Sir Alex Ferguson.
As the Red Devils relentlessly pursued them, Fergie’s constant barbs finally got to Keegan who gesticulated wildly during a postmatch interview, saying he had “gone down in my estimation”.
He furiously declared: “You can tell him now, if you’re watching it, we’re still fighting for this title. He’s got to go to Middlesbrough and get something, and… and… I’ll tell you, honestly, I will love it if we beat them, love it!”
Keegan was a Newcastle hero as a player and a manager(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
Showdown with Newcastle fans
Before their epic title charge, Keegan had to quell unquiet amongst his own fans when star striker Andy Cole was sold to Manchester United in a shock move in January 1995.
The Newcastle gaffer famously stood on the steps outside St James’ Park to explain the decision to unhappy fans in a pair of jeans and a turtle neck jumper. He even defended Cole from accusations he’d played badly to force a move.
He told them: “You chant for me to go and you know I’ll be gone. I understand your problems, leave it with us. We’ve done all right so far. He’s been a great player, but please don’t think… the thing you said there about him play to get away, that is scandalous.
“Honestly, that lad has given everything. He’s tried harder probably in the last six or eight weeks than he has al the time he’s been here.”
Keegan stepped down as England manager after a sorry defeat to Germany(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Resigning from the England job in a toilet
Widely regarded as one of the best players to ever play for the Three Lions, Keegan was unable to replicate his magic as manager of the national team. He had the lowest win percentage of any permanent England manager during his brief tenure.
Following a dismal Euro 2000 campaign, the final straw came when England lost the final game at the old Wembley against arch rivals Germany which cruelly laid bare his tactical limitations. After the game, Keegan decided to quit his post.
The FA’s executive director David Davies told how he tried to change his mind in a toilet cubicle to avoid being seen by the press. But Keegan told him: “You can’t change my mind. I’m out of here. I’m not up to it. I’m going out to the press to tell them I’m not up to it.”
Keegan endorsed Blair (Image: PA)
Epic head tennis with Tony Blair
Ardent Labour supporter Keegan was photographed during the 1995 party conference playing head tennis with leader Tony Blair. Their 20 second back-and-forth was one of the iconic political photographs of the decade and was seen as a huge moment in Blair’s rise.
After the meeting, Keegan told reporters: “Tony Blair is a breath of fresh air for me. My father was a staunch Labour man. He was a miner and a strong union man. It’s in my blood.”
Tony Blair paid tribute to Keegan, saying: “Kevin inspired everyone he met, including me. He was just a thoroughly decent man with a strong sense of values and a belief, not only in the game of football, but also in Britain as a nation.”
No to Thatcher
It wasn’t his first foray into politics. In a fly-on-the wall documentary filmed in 1979, the working class hero tells how he turned down an invitation from prime minister Thatcher to take part in “Youth for Europe” rally in Birmingham.
He said it might have been a different story had he been asked by Labour leader Jim Callaghan. He said: “If I went there with Margaret Thatcher, my old dad would kill me if he was here.
“I can remember my dad having the chance to have £25 to use our front room as a polling place for the Conservatives – and we didn’t have any money – and he wouldn’t take it. And I’m certainly not going to go near it.”
Keegan and Bremner traded punches(Image: Monty Fresco/Daily Mail/REX/Shutterstock)
Bremner punch up
The Liverpool legend was sent off in the 1974 Charity Shield after he and Leeds hardman Billy Bremner confused the event for a charity boxing match.
The annual curtain-raiser was marred by violence which flared when Keegan took a right hook from Johnny Giles in the second half. Minutes later, Keegan and Bremner traded punches and were both sent off by referee Bob Matthewson.
Keegan, who claimed provocation, was furious about being sent off and threw his shirt away as her marched off the Wembley pitch as commentator Barry Davies said: “This is a face of English football we do not want to see.”
