Kevin Keegan announced as City's new manager (report)

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scall11

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I've been backing up my PC and found a report I wrote for mancity.net on the day Kevin Keegan was unveiled as manager. An end of season Fans Forum had been organised for a few weeks and it just happened to be the same day Keegan was unveiled as manager. Bear in mind the sacking of Joe Royle was still a major story, so here is my report:

Hours after Kevin Keegan was announced as the new manager at Manchester City, he appeared at a gathering of supporters at an invitation-only Fans Forum at Maine Road. Although the gathering had been arranged two weeks prior to the events from Monday to Thursday, the main issue at discussion was bound to be the appointment of Keegan, and hopefully would allow the man himself to appear to City's supporters.

At the front were Chris Bird (Chief Operating Officer), David Bernstein (Chairman), Dennis Tueart (Director) and John Wardle (Deputy-Chairman). Around 100 fans were gathered in the top of the Kippax, and could not wait to start discussing the new appointment.

David Bernstein started the ball rolling by clarifying the sitation at the club. He stated that there were again "fundamental differences" in the boards opinion and Joe Royles opinion on certain issues. He would not state what these issues were, but the sacking of the goalkeeping coach, Chief Scout and physio were an obvious indicator of these issues. Mr Bernstein stated again that he and Joe Royle got on brilliantly while they were both colleagues. However, the issue of when the Board became doubtful of Royle was unclear, the message that came across was that during the last few games of the season, the Board were aware there were problems with the club, but declined to express these views publicly, so not to affect the morale and support of the management and team.
Mr Bernstein outlined his new five year plan. This includes Manchester City becoming one of the top 6 clubs in the country, with European football a possibility. This plan was also formulated with Kevin Keegan, who will try to achieve this target. Mr Bernstein said there were three leagues inside the Premier League, and City had to be in the middle of these three as soon as possible, so the club could consolidate and push for greater things after that.

Then came an unexpected guest. The Chairman introduced Kevin Keegan who walked in to a heroes welcome, with applause and a standing ovation.

He basically outlined that he will spend the next few months learning about the club, and that he will assess the situation over the next few days. He will bring in Arther Cox as his new scout and wants Willie Donachie to stay on as assistant manager. He dismissed fears of him scrapping the reserve team like he did at Newcastle. He did this for fear of player safety and in-practicalities within the reserve league system. This has now changed, so the reserve team will still continue. On the issue of discipline, he said that the players would be given a set of rules, which he expects them to ahere by. It is up to individual players to conduct themselves properly, and if they get out of line, he will sort them out. He wants the team to have a leader, and will hopefully find a leader, maybe not the best player, but a good leader to motivate the players on the pitch. He also encouraged re-opening the training ground, so fans can see the team train, unless it was in-practical or the players didn't want it to happen. A similar system was in place at Newcastle, where thousands of fans turned up to watch the team train, and schools invited to watch close-hand. this helped the players develop relationships with the fans, and improve their self-motivation as well. He hopes this could happen at City, but will need to be checked through first.

After the short but pleasant exchange of ideas and questions, Kevin Keegan and David Bernstein led their respective closing statements.

The response from fans leaving was postitive. Kevin Keegan is full of hope and optimism, and what he wants to happen can be achieved. He seems in touch with the fans, and went out of his way to refer to "Manchester City is a huge club", after being warned about using the term 'Massive' by a fan at the Forum!

I believe it is a great move for City. Although saddened to see Joe Royle after such a successful time at Maine Road, we have to look forward, and Kevin Keegan can help us to do that. After all, we are a huge club after all...
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Always loved Keegan. Top man.

Real shame Newcastle didn't win the league that season. Played some breathtaking football.
 
I was there!
I also asked Keegan if he was moving from his house in Teeside to Manchester or would commute, adding if he was moving I had a house in Moston he could have for 20K.

Next day the MEN call me and ask to have a pic of me outside the house and I declined, said it wasn't even for sale, it was a joke.
The following day there is a whole page on the ''story'' with 3 pictures (Keegan's mansion, my house and Keegan's face) with the ''story'' in the other quarter. Completely ignored the fact the house wasn't for sale and stated it was!
 
Mad Eyed Screamer said:
I was there!
I also asked Keegan if he was moving from his house in Teeside to Manchester or would commute, adding if he was moving I had a house in Moston he could have for 20K.

Next day the MEN call me and ask to have a pic of me outside the house and I declined, said it wasn't even for sale, it was a joke.
The following day there is a whole page on the ''story'' with 3 pictures (Keegan's mansion, my house and Keegan's face) with the ''story'' in the other quarter. Completely ignored the fact the house wasn't for sale and stated it was!
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Typical press. Keegan should have gone along with it and come and viewed your house and asked if Cox could have the box room.
 
Having met the bloke when he was manager at Newcastle I can honestly say he is one of the nicest people I have ever met in football (and I have met a lot due to a previous job). I was delighted when he got the City job although I was sad it had ended so badly for Big Joe another really nice fella as well.
 
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