Keegan gets Magpies job

Kevin Keegan will sensationally return to Newcastle as the club’s manager, the club’s website has confirmed.

The 56-year-old was a hugely popular figure during his first spell as Magpies boss from 1992-1997 but was ranked as an outside candidate to replace Sam Allardyce, who left St James’ Park last week after an unsuccessful short stint in charge.

Gerard Houllier and Didier Deschamps were strongly linked with the position in the last two days but the club unexpectedly announced Keegan as the club’s new manager on their website this afternoon.

Keegan was linked to the role but initially only in partnership with legendary striker Alan Shearer.

Keegan took Newcastle to promotion back to the top flight in 1993 and came close to winning the league title in the 1995-96 season when they famously led Manchester United by 12 points before finishing as runners up.

He went on to manage Fulham, England and Manchester City but has been out of the game since leaving City in 2005 after a largely unsuccessful spell.