Kevin Keegan

On 16 January 2008, Kevin Keegan announced his remarkable decision to once more become manager of Newcastle F.C. - it was, without doubt, the news story of the season. Now, less than a year later, Keegan again dominates the back pages. A disastrous break down in his relationship with the club's owner resulted in Keegan once more walking out on the club and the fans by whom he is so adored. It was the latest twist in the story of a truly incredible life. There can be few managers who have divided public opinion throughout their career as Keegan has. A legendary player, Keegan never intended to make the transition from pitch to dugout and defied his own and others expectations when he first took the managerial reins at St James' Park, in 1992. Keegan quickly became a hero in the North East -- first taking the club to the Premiership, and then narrowly missing out on winning it. It was in the heat of that now infamous duel with Alex Ferguson and his Manchester United side, though, that the cracks first began to show.There were signs of tactical and psychological weakness in Keegan; frailties that would come to haunt him later in his career -- most evidently during his disastrous spell in charge of England.
A revered sports journalist with unparalleled access to insider exclusives, Ian Ridley is the perfect man for the task of understanding what it is that makes Keegan tick. Training his brilliantly incisive and penetrating gaze on Keegan, Ridley offers an unprecedented insight into the mind of this most enigmatic of men.