Keegan in shock Toon return

Keegan: Newcastle return

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• If anyone can, KK can
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• It was special KK

Kevin Keegan is sensationally returning to Newcastle United as manager, the club have confirmed.

Keegan enjoyed great success in his first stint at St James' Park between 1992 and 1997, leading the club back into the Premier League and taking them to the brink of the title.

The former England manager became a favourite with the Toon Army during his Magpies playing career and continues to be held in the highest regard on Tyneside.

Keegan has been out of football after leaving his post as Manchester City boss in 2005, but has been tempted back by the challenge of again leading a club he clearly holds close to his heart.

A brief statement on the club's official website read: "Kevin Keegan is returning to Newcastle United as manager."

The Magpies have been searching for a new manager following the departure of Sam Allardyce last week, whose reign lasted for just 24 games.

Challengers

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp was initally strongly linked with the post, but he elected to turn the opportunity down to stay on at Fratton Park.

And Keegan has now been handed the task of again making the club Premier League title challengers under new owner Mike Ashley.

Newcastle supporter Ashley took over in the summer, shortly after the appointment of Allardyce by previous chairman Freddy Shepherd, and has since admitted he should have brought in his own man immediately.

Keegan inherits a side 11th in the table, on a run of four successive defeats and still suffering from the defensive problems which have been their Achilles heel for all of the Premier League era.

He is likely to be given funds to strengthen the side during the January transfer window, with a busy time expected in the North East.

Keegan's first game at the helm will be the home Premier League clash against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, with a testing trip to Emirates Stadium to tackle Arsenal to follow.

Instant

Keegan's return had an instant effect as kick-off in Wednesday night's FA Cup third-round replay with Stoke was delayed by 15 minutes.

Security chiefs at St James' Park took the decision to put the start back to 8pm as thousands of fans reacted to news of Keegan's appointment by flocking to the stadium to buy tickets for the game.

And the man himself arrived at the ground midway through the first half, accompanied by Ashley and chairman Chris Mort.

The trio took their seats in the directors' box with Keegan being greeted warmly by everyone in the vicinity.