ON THIS DAY KEVIN RESIGNS

8th January 1997

Such is the turnover of managers, it is rarely a shock when a manager leaves a club but there was widespread and genuine shock on Tyneside when Kevin Keegan resigned as Newcastle United manager on this day in 1997. Former Newcastle player Keegan had taken up his first managerial post at St James’ Park in 1992 when the club was in great danger of suffering relegation to the third tier. But at the start of 1997 his Newcastle side were fourth in the Premier League, had just beaten Tottenham 7-1 in the League and had recorded a 5-0 victory over Manchester United earlier in the season. In their playing ranks they had Alan Shearer who Newcastle had bought six months earlier for a world record £15m fee, and he was scoring regularly. The club and their fans were on a high but Kevin Keegan believed he had taken the club as far as he could, and so resigned.

Former player & manager, Kevin Keegan will undergo treatment after being diagnosed with cancer having been admitted to hospital for further evaluation of ongoing abdominal symptoms.

King Kev. We're with you every step of the way. Hoping for a full and speedy recovery.

Joseph Kevin Keegan OBE, is an English former footballer and manager. Nicknamed "King Kev" or "Mighty Mouse", Keegan was recognised for his dribbling ability, as well as his finishing and presence in the air, and is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. 

Born: 14 February 1951 (age 74 years), Armthorpe Doncaster, Kevin Keegan made his professional debut for nearby Scunthorpe in 1968, aged 17. The skilful forward caught the eye of Liverpool’s Bill Shankly and made the move to Anfield in 1971. At Liverpool, Keegan won three Division One Championships, two UEFA Cups, one FA Cup and the European Cup.

After 323 appearances and 100 goals, Keegan left Liverpool in 1977 to join Hamburg SV in West Germany, where he became the highest paid player in the country. Here, the 5ft 8in superstar earned the nickname Mighty Mouse and won European Footballer of the Year twice.

Keegan left for Southampton in the summer of 1980 and in 1982, he was awarded PFA Player of the Year and the OBE for services to Association Football. In 1982 he surprised and delighted fans by signing for Newcastle United where he helped get them promoted to the top flight in 1984. Keegan retired from playing that same year. His final appearance for Newcastle came in a friendly against Liverpool where he left the ground in a helicopter, still dressed in his kit. 

Keegan won a total of 63 England caps, scoring 21 goals and captaining the side 31 times.

In 1992, Keegan took his first managerial role at Newcastle United where he achieved promotion to the Premier League in 1993. He briefly managed Fulham before becoming England manager in 1999. Keegan was manager of Manchester City between 2001 and 2005 and returned for a short spell as Newcastle United manager in 2008. Principle English Clubs: Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Southampton, Newcastle United Caps: 63 (21 goals) Honours: 1 European Cup, 2 UEFA Cups, 3 Division One Championships, 1 FA Cup. Inducted Football Hall of Fame: 2002