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Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish have both paid heartfelt tributes to the late Kevin Keegan, who sadly passed away, aged 75.
Keegan’s death prompted a wave of tributes to the former Scunthorpe, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle frontman from across the football world, with Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish giving touching messages about the footballing legend.
Ferguson, the man famously on the other end of Keegan’s ‘I’d love it, absolutely love it, if we beat them’ rant, revealed his huge respect for the former Newcastle manager following his death after a battle with cancer.
Speaking to Track Radio, Ferguson said: ‘I had the utmost respect for him. We had many duels when he was manager of Newcastle, but I have to say the job he did at Newcastle was fantastic.
‘He re-energised that club, and he brought that enthusiasm and fanaticism that great supporters can give. That’s the job he did.
‘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.’
He added: ‘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.’
In April 1996, with Ferguson’s United chasing down Keegan’s Premier League leaders Newcastle, Keegan made an emotional outburst during a Sky Sports interview, which Ferguson has said he respected, and the pair even shared a good time when they bumped into each other a couple of weeks after.
‘The great thing about him, he held no grudges,’ Ferguson said. ‘That was a fantastic quality he had, and we had a great night. All aside whatever happened in previous weeks, that was soon forgotten. I really respected him for that.’
Ferguson isn’t the only football icon who paid tribute to Keegan, with former Liverpool ace Kenny Dalglish, who replaced Keegan at Liverpool in 1977, also sharing a heartfelt message.
‘Very saddened to hear of the passing of Kevin Keegan. Kevin was one of the very best players of his generation and wore Liverpool’s famous number seven shirt with great distinction.’
‘His achievements on the pitch were exceptional, but he was also a wonderful person and a genuine gentleman.
‘Kevin’s qualities didn’t stop when he finished playing. He went on to become an outstanding manager, and what he built at Newcastle United brought belief, excitement and pride back to the football club.
‘He gave so many people wonderful memories and his teams played the game in a way that supporters loved to watch.
‘Football has lost one of its true greats. My thoughts are with Jean, Laura, Sarah and all of Kevin’s family and friends at this very sad time. Rest in peace, Kevin. YNWA.’
