Kevin Keegan believes he was the ideal candidate to succeed Sam Allardyce as Newcastle United manager.
Ex-Magpies boss says he was the top choice for the job
Kevin Keegan believes he was the ideal candidate to succeed Sam Allardyce as Newcastle United manager.
The former England boss was unveiled by The Magpies for a second time on Friday - 11 years after quitting his first spell in charge.
The 56-year-old believes that having played for the North East giants and managed them previously he knows how to bring back the glory days of the 90s.
"I know the club. I know it inside out and back to front. I know what the fans want," Keegan said live on
Sky Sports News.
"I don't have to come up and learn all of those things. That's not easy. I'm not saying it's impossible.
Very special
"This is a very special club. I think I'm the best qualified person to come here and do the job. That's why I think I can do something.
"Every time the job came up there was a little bit of envy. That's how I felt every time the job came up. I left because of circumstances last time.
"This club doesn't scare me. The job ahead doesn't scare me."
Meanwhile, Keegan has confirmed he is yet to speak to fans' favourite Alan Shearer about joining the club's coaching staff.
"I haven't spoken to him yet to be honest. The right answer is that I've concentrated fully on the match Saturday," he added.
"If there's a role that Alan wants then I think there's a job here for him. I'll definitely talk to him."
Newcastle were challenging for the Premier League title the last time Keegan was in charge and he sees no reason why they cannot break into the top four this time around.
"I said to (owner) Mike Ashley 'What do you want to do?' and he said 'I want to win something'.
"That might sound like a tough challenge, but it is possible to win something here. It is possible to win a cup and break into the top four.
"Not overnight, but it is possible. I don't think in the last few years that the players have seen this club at its best.
"We've done it once, we can do it again."
Signings
Keegan has confirmed he would like to strengthen his squad, although he refused to say how much backing he will receive from Ashley or whether the players will arrive in January.
"I think we're a club who can go and get big players. If they are the right players. We can do that.
"We've got two weeks left of the transfer window. Realistically a lot of players don't move at this time of year.
"We will be trying to fetch two or three players in. We will not fetch them in to make up the numbers."
Finally, Keegan is back working with Joey Barton at Newcastle, a player who he managed during his time at Manchester City.
The tough-tackling midfielder has a some-what chequered past, although Keegan is prepared to wipe the slate clean despite being let down by him in the past.
"I know Joey. I've had him at Manchester City at the age of 16. I can't control what's gone on before. As a Newcastle United player I'll support him 100 per cent.
"I'll help him in any way I can. He's openly said he needs help. He's an excellent player. He can improve. He's had some little problems but I've told him he's got my full support.
"I've given it to him before and he's let me down, but he's got it again because I'm convinced that all he wants to do is come and play for this football club."
