Keegan's highs and lows on Tyneside return

[Getty Images] Kevin Keegan's management trademark was all-out, thrilling attack, with his former Liverpool and Newcastle team-mate Terry McDermott at his side and charismatic chairman Sir John Hall shaping the off-field strategy. He had initial differences with Hall over transfer cash, prompting another classic Keegan quote when he said: "It's not like the brochure." Matters were quickly resolved and soon Newcastle were on their way. Having saved Newcastle from relegation to the third tier, Keegan inspired them to promotion to the Premier League, finishing only behind champions Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers in 1993-94 with goals and creativity provided by strikers Andy Cole and the returning Peter Beardsley. Cole was sold to Manchester United in a surprise move in January 1995, Keegan famously standing on the steps outside St James' Park to explain the decision to unhappy fans. The peak of Keegan's reign, along with the biggest disappointment, came in 1995-96 when Newcastle, strengthened by the addition of high-class stars such as Les Ferdinand and David Ginola, moved 12 points clear in the title race, only to squander the advantage to Manchester United. There were two enduring images of Keegan as glory escaped his grasp, head bowed as Liverpool scored in stoppage time to win 4-3 in an all-time Premier League classic in April - before that tirade aimed at Ferguson. Alex Ferguson questioned whether Leeds and Nottingham Forest would try as hard against Newcastle as they would against Manchester United - and after a win at Elland Road, Keegan exploded. His broadside ended with the never-to-be-forgotten quote: "I will love it if we beat them. Love it." Sadly for Keegan, Newcastle did not. Some felt Keegan's time at Newcastle never recovered from that crushing blow, but his charisma and the call of home helped England's top marksman Alan Shearer reject Manchester United to make a world record £15m move from Blackburn that summer. Shearer's debut ended in a 4-0 loss in the Charity Shield to the club he turned down, revenge exacted spectacularly with a 5-0 win at home in the Premier League two months later. Keegan then stunned Tyneside on 8 January 1997 by resigning, saying in a short statement: "I feel I have taken the club as far as I can." Tyneside was later overcome with joy and excitement when Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley announced Keegan's return as manager in January 2008 . It was an ill-starred pairing, Keegan resigning after only eight months following differences with Ashley and Newcastle's hierarchy, including his former England player Dennis Wise, who was executive director. Read more on Keegan's life and career here following his death at the age of 75