KEEGAN'S ESCAPE ROUTE

Last updated : 01 September 2004 By Editor

At this stage none of the papers seem to have an inkling into who Newcastle will appoint manager so why not throw £10 on BackBeat’s tip from last February which said Gordon Strachan was being lined up to take over. At odds of 13-1 it’s surely worth a small punt.

The Mirror run with this:

Newcastle are ready to launch an amazing bid to bring Kevin Keegan back as manager - and groom Alan Shearer as his successor.

Chairman Freddy Shepherd is considering an astonishing approach to the man still considered a God on Tyneside and an honorary Geordie.

Keegan may be interested in going back for a second spell. He would also be the ideal man to prepare Shearer for the top job. Keegan, still based in Durham, plans to quit in two years' time which fits the timescale that Shepherd wants of a senior proven boss who could work with Shearer. Keegan would help Newcastle in their current crisis and then walk away to let his favourite son become the next manager.