Kevin Keegan was the walking personification of Newcastle United for a long time - even after he'd walked away from the club - and his spectre, and specifically the spectre of his football, has haunted the club in the barren years since he left the first time. When he came to the club, the Magpies were staring over the precipice into the old third division, after years of under-achievement, and with just a few key signings - in particular Brian Kilcline - he saved the club and went about rebuilding. The fact that he achieved promotion just a year later was astonishing, and that he immediately went from the First Division to the top of The Premier League is nothing short of amazing. Keegan brought a philosophy of sublime attacking football, entertaining fans around the country, and genuinely making the Magpies title contenders. Optimism poured out of St. James' Park, and though he was notoriously difficult to work above (thanks to his fancy for walking out in a huff), what he did for the club on the pitch cannot ever be over-stated. Even though his second spell at the club is best left ignored, thanks to the ridiculous interference at board-level that saw him leave, Keegan will likely be classed the greatest Newcastle manager of the Premier League era, and indeed well beyond that, until someone wins something. Who do you think deserves to be counted as the best Newcastle manager ever?And who is your choice for the worst ever?
