Is the return of Keegan a Sirous possibility?
Posted on July 30th, 2009 | 41 Comments |
In the ‘news’ as scribed by The Sun, Llambias said:
“We are dealing with several people and giving most of our time and attention to the sale.
“You must remember that some parties make offers but when it comes to putting up proof of funds they are a long way from sealing a deal.
“But I can say we are very close to completing a deal and it could happen next week.”
Which is good news I suppose. Llambias then goes on to say why it’s foolhardy to employ a permanent manager at the moment:
“It’s Catch 22 – anyone who signs a deal will want their own choice of manager.
“Look what happened when Mike took over, Sam Allardyce was already in place and he didn’t want him.”
Then there’s a report from someone said to be a spokesman for Sirous Mahjoob:
“The money is there. Mr Mahjoob has a healthy interest in football and is bidding to take over an ailing club with a great worldwide reputation.
“He envisages a clean sweep with Kevin Keegan coming back as manager, this time with his own staff and control of players. Last time Keegan inherited a lot of people he didn’t necessarily want and we don’t want the same situation again.
“He has nothing against Shearer. He just thinks Keegan retains greater global appeal.”
It could be a load of cobblers of course. It is odd that there’s distinct lack of information about anyone called Sirous Mahjoob on the interweb. Surely Google would know about all the rich Dubai businessmen wouldn’t they? But you never know with these things – perhaps this Mahjoob is some sort of low-profile recluse.
I love Kevin Keegan. His enthusiasm, passion, honesty and management style are infectious and I’ll always be grateful for The Entertainers he gave us first time around. Even the second time, after initially wondering about the wisdom of the appointment, I warmed to him again when he started shaping the team and getting some results.
But a third time? No, I really don’t think that’s wise. It would be a step in the wrong direction in my opinion – we need to move forward from here with a new owner, new manager and new team. We need stability for a number of years now and, however good a manager he might turn out to be, Keegan is a man who acts on his emotions and there’s always a risk he could walk, even if it’s just for personal reasons without any contributory arguments with the club to help him on his way. With a world of potential managers out there I just think it’s too much of a risk to employ Keegan again.
Despite my doubts about the truth of this story, it would be unfair to completely dismiss it out of hand (or at least the non-Keegan bits) because certain things add up if you look at them from a particular angle. Shearer hasn’t been appointed as manager, which might mean that at least one of the serious contenders for ownership didn’t want him as manager. And the transfer embargo seems to have been lifted, which might mean that a deal is close as Llambias implies. Although none of that equates to a return for Keegan of course.
It’s all speculation at this stage and you can make your own mind up what to believe until we get something definite. Personally I can’t shake the feeling that it’s a wind-up of some sort and that this is just another joke at our expense, although I admit that’s what I thought when it was first rumoured that he’d return for a second time.
Anyway, it’s giving me a headache so I’m off in search of some aspirin.
NUFCBlog Author: Hugh de Payen
I'm a baby-boomer of the punk rock persuasion, currently exiled in Somerset for crimes committed in a previous life where locals keep trying to poison me with something called 'scrumpy'. Hates sprouts, coat-hangers, Cilla Black, ornaments, Steven Seagull movies and 50 Cent (he's not worth 10).
Hugh de Payen has written 634 articles on this blog.
The phrase “The money is there” has been used in association with virtually all fake Newcastle United bid stories. It’s the kind of thing a gutter journalist, a prankster, or a publicity seeker would say. Someone who has something to prove and is protesting too much about it.
On the other hand, someone who had a genuine interest in the club, and the funds to back it up, would not have to prove themselves in this manner, and would be most unlikely to say it to the media. That’s one of the reasons why I think this story is probably complete and utter tripe, and should be taken with a large pinch of salt.