In eight league matches since Kevin Keegan’s return to St. James’ Park, he hasn’t been able to secure a single win, the team have scored only four goals - and they have lost by three or more goals on four occasions.

As Newcastle United hover around the relegation zone, the question is: Was Keegan’s appointment a mistake?

'We’re looking at a guy who would be lucky to get a gig in the Championship'


It almost certainly is. From the very beginning it looked like a bad move hiring a manager who less than six months ago said he would probably never manage again. It was not the best start. Add to this the fact that he hasn’t managed a football side in three years and we’re looking at a guy who would be lucky to get a gig in the Championship.

The reason for Keegan's appointment is simple, Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley is a fan and Kevin was around for the glory days. Unfortunately the way to restore such things isn’t to bring back that manager. 

The game moves and you have to move with it. Keegan may well be able to help bring in some pride and he may even be a useful man to speak to the players, but that’s not enough to make him the manager.

Keegan’s recent football CV isn’t exactly a glowing one. He was criticised in his brief time in charge of the national team for his tactical naivety (nothing has changed here) and his win percentage of around 39 per cent makes him statistically the poorest manager in England’s history.

Following his stint with England, he went to Manchester City where he gained promotion to the Premier League in his first season. But despite  regular forays into the transfer market, a number of the players he purchased were past their prime. And his last full season at the club was almost a complete disaster, with the team finishing just above the relegation places.

Keegan has never been a spectacular manager, he has the ability to get teams almost there, but not quite. Recently Keegan said he hardly watched football any more. It’s hard to manage a team when you don’t even know what has been happening in the game.

There’s still hope for Newcastle United but it’s not such an easy run-in with Chelsea still to come.

So was his apppointment  the wrong move? Probably, but they’ll stick by him, at least until next season.