'A statue would be a fitting tribute'

[Getty Images] Kevin Keegan was "a man of the people that could get on with everybody," says former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton. Hughton was convinced to join the Magpies as first-team coach in February 2008 because of a phone call with Keegan. He became caretaker boss when Keegan left St James' Park in 2008 and took the job on a full-time basis the following year. But before their paths crossed in management, Hughton faced him on the pitch. "I played against Kevin a good few times when he was at Southampton and against him when I played for the Republic of Ireland against England," Hughton said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "Kevin got the two goals in that game and we lost 2-0. "We chatted all the way to the changing room after the game and we exchanged shirts. I still have that shirt, and out of all my memorabilia, it is my most precious one. "I owe all of my managerial career to Kevin. Having the faith to bring me up to Newcastle in the first place and then the pleasure of working with him for that period of time. "He was no different to everything I had been told about him. The players loved him; he could have a laugh and joke with them, but when it came to decision making, it showed the quality he had. "A man of the people that could get on with everybody. I always felt like if you couldn't get on with Kevin then it was your fault and not his because he gave everybody the time they deserve. "An exceptional coach and an exceptional manager." [Getty Images] Former Newcastle defender Warren Barton said it "was an honour" to play under Keegan, who brought him to the club in 1995. "He was a special person and he made everybody feel important," Barton told BBC Radio Newcastle. "We loved him. "To have him as my manager was an honour. "Everyone wanted to go to Newcastle because of the style of football that we played. It was exciting, but the sad part is that we failed him. "We tried everything but we just came up short for him, although he never let us feel like we let him down as he was always very positive. "He made me feel like I could walk on water." Derek Wright - who served as physio under Keegan - added: "My happiest time was when Kevin was manager. "It was an unbelievable time. He was a great manager in a football sense obviously but he was also a great leader, great with his staff. He loved the area, the region, Newcastle. "You were carried along on this wave of optimism really. Every day was a great day with him and Terry McDermott. "Kevin will always be there. He will never be forgotten, but a statue would be a fitting tribute I think." You can listen to more Keegan tributes from former players, friends and journalists on BBC Sounds