A lack of consistency and excessively high expectations are the problem, not the return of King Kev.
‘Maybe if the Newcastle fans lowered their expectations to a realistic level then managers would last longer and maybe even achieve something.’
Kevin Keegan has been back at Newcastle for a few months now, in his second stint as manager, and after a dire run of form - only just now turning around - many people are questioning the wisdom of his return. Bringing Keegan back isn’t necessarily a mistake, if he is given time and money to spend. Newcastle’s real mistake has been twofold – firstly, a lack of consistency with managers and secondly, expecting more than they have a right to.
If Keegan is to succeed on his return to St James’ Park he must be given the time and patience his predecessors did not receive. Newcastle have had seven managers in the past 10 years. Surely this is the basis for their lack of success. Clubs need stability and consistency in management, if at all possible. Obviously it doesn’t guarantee success, but it really does help.
During his first four seasons at Man UTD, Sir Alex Ferguson did not win anything and finished 11th and 13th in the old First Division during this time. If Ferguson had managed like this at Newcastle he would have been fired before he had the chance to achieve anything. Given time, just look what he has done. Newcastle should be looking to Manchester United, Arsenal and even Everton as examples of how to treat their managers. With time, David Moyes has created a fantastic Everton side that finishes consistently in the top seven, qualifies for Europe and is difficult to beat. It took time, but the wait and trust in the manager has been worth it.
The second mistake Newcastle regularly suffer from is the over-the-top expectations of their supporters and their board. Newcastle are a big club in terms of their magnificent fans, their passion and their attendance, but in terms of trophy haul there are bigger sides in League One even, such as Nottingham Forest. This unrealistic demand for trophies is damaging the club. Their track record doesn’t merit it. Maybe if the Newcastle fans lowered their expectations to a realistic level then managers would last longer and maybe even achieve something.
The constant pressure to be challenging for Europe and for the title, and to be playing exciting, dynamic football cripples the ability of managers to succeed. Bobby Robson was fired after finishing fourth and third in consecutive seasons. In his final season he just wasn’t given time to sort out a run of bad form and an unruly dressing room. This was just madness. And it happens again and again. Managers aren’t given the time to solve the defensive problems Newcastle have had for more than a decade.
Just look at Sam Allardyce – yes, he didn’t do everything right, but at least he saw the need to steady the ship and create a solid unit that didn’t ship lots of goals. This meant Newcastle fans didn’t get the pretty football they wanted straight away, but maybe in time it would have happened after the manager created the right defensive platform on which an exciting side could have been built.
Once again we turn to the example of Arsenal and Manchester United. Both play the kind of dynamic exciting football Newcastle fans crave, yet the success of both is based on not conceding many goals. It is no coincidence that the top five have conceded fewer goals than anyone else. Until Newcastle fans accept defensive prowess as the first step on the road to success instead of cavalier attacking football, I suspect the same lack of success will follow.
Even Keegan himself, at the high point of his Newcastle career in the ’90s, never won anything. Why? Because his team leaked too many goals compared to his rivals. They just didn’t have the consistency to make it right through a season, or a cup competition, without losing games. Yes, it was glorious entertainment at times, but what do Newcastle have to show for it? Some good memories and an empty trophy cabinet.
If they want to win trophies Newcastle FC need to avoid the two cardinal sins that have cost them in the past 15 years – get some realistic expectations and give the manager some time. With this combination, and a good amount of money to overhaul the ailing defence, maybe King Kev could reign again!
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