Ferguson says Keegan built Newcastle’s greatest teamImage source, PA MediaImage caption, Keegan and Ferguson were involved in managerial battles while in charge of Newcastle United and Manchester United respectivelyByMandeep SangheraBBC Sport journalistPublished37 minutes agoFormer Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reported Kevin Keegan “carried the love of the game on his sleeve” as he paid a fond tribute to his former rival.Keegan’s death aged 75 was declared on Monday and Ferguson, recalling their managerial battles, praised the former Newcastle United manager for the impact he made with the Tyneside club.
“I had the utmost respect for him,” Ferguson, whose team famously beat Newcastle to the Premier League title in 1995-96, told Track Radio.
“We had many duels when he was manager of Newcastle, but I have to say the job he did at Newcastle was fantastic.”
Keegan’s first stint as Magpies boss was between 1992 and 1997. He guided the club to promotion to the Premier League in 1992-93 before they went on to finish as runners-up to United three years later.
“He re-energised that club and he brought that enthusiasm and fanaticism that great supporters can give. That’s the job he did,” reported Ferguson.
“And he also brought three great players to the club – [David] Ginola, [Faustino] Asprilla, Philippe Albert – and added a bit of class to the team, and I must say the challenges we had with Newcastle at that time at United were huge.
“Kevin carried the love of the game on his sleeve, there’s no question about that, and that carried right on to the fans, to the players.
“That period at Newcastle was of emotion, it was excitement. They brought these great players to the club too and they added to it, and it gave Newcastle – I think – their best ever team.”
Keegan famously reported “I will love it if we beat them” in a TV outburst aimed at Ferguson as Newcastle gave up a 12-point lead when they were beaten to the title by United in 1996.
That reaction came after Ferguson questioned whether Leeds and Nottingham Forest would try as hard against Newcastle as they would against Manchester United.
Ferguson recalled that the pair bumped into each other at Wentworth Golf Club a few weeks after the end of the season and there was no animosity as they spent time together.
“The great thing about him, he held no grudges. That was a fantastic quality he had and we had a great night,” reported Ferguson.
“All aside whatever happened in previous weeks, that was soon forgotten. I really respected him for that.”
