Steve a fan of Keegan's style

Apr 4 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

GIVEN their membership of the dwindling band of home-grown Premier League managers, it’s perhaps no surprise Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has a fan in weekend adversary Steve Coppell.

The Reading manager may not come over as one of English football’s great romantics, but he shares the appetite of the United fans for a successful Keegan second coming, which he believes would be good for the domestic game.

Their kinship extends beyond a shared belief in the importance of attacking football. Two of only nine English managers in the Premier League, they also share the distinction of playing for the national team together – an experience that gave Coppell first-hand experience of the “exceptional” Keegan.

“His team from the 1990s was terrific, the way they had emphasis on attack and I’m sure that will be the same when he gets his feet under the table,” he said.

“Everybody would want to see them to do well just to see what happens. Given the things he said before he came back, yes I am surprised he returned to Newcastle, but nothing should surprise you about football. Kevin had his Soccer Circus and I thought he’d had his fill of football management, but he’s an exceptional individual and he has a great affiliation with Newcastle. I said a few weeks before he was the man for the job so I’m glad he got it.”

Coppell’s nostalgia for the Newcastle of bygone years also extends to his memories of Keegan’s drive as a player.

On England duty in the late 1970s, the Reading boss was impressed by the Newcastle boss.

“I played with him, but only in England games. I had a great opportunity to see him function as a human being and a top player at that time,” Coppell said. “He was coming back from Germany, he was European Footballer of the Year and you could see why from his attitude and the way he conducted himself.

“He wasn’t the most gifted player from a skill level but he had enormous drive. With England we’d have normal training and he’d stay behind with Peter Shilton and he’d be coming in when we’d finished lunch. Physically he was so strong.”

This weekend’s game was earmarked as a relegation six-pointer a few short weeks ago but the pressure has eased on both sides after their own improved runs coincided with Bolton’s spectacular implosion in the bottom three.

Both sides appear unlikely candidates for the drop now but you won’t catch anyone in either camp playing down the significance of tomorrow’s game. For his part Keegan believes Newcastle are not out of trouble yet, and is calling on his players to build up momentum.

“We’re by no means home and hosed,” he said. “But the way things worked out last weekend has given us some breathing space.

“We have enjoyed the week but I don’t want the players thinking ‘That’s it’ now. I want them to kick on and finish the season on a high, so everyone thinks ‘I can’t wait to get back next season to see what happens’. That’s not just the players, but the staff and supporters as well.”

Coppell insists his side have nothing to fear from Keegan’s apparently rejuvenated side. He said: “I believe the previous game’s form doesn’t carry through. From our point of view we’re on a good run so there’s nothing to be frightened of.”