Kevin Keegan is getting down to the business of reviving his beloved Newcastle after making a whirlwind return to Tyneside.
The 56-year-old will be officially unveiled as manager at a press conference on Friday, but there is little doubt that the hard work was already under way by the time he touched down in the north-east on his way to yet another hero's welcome.
Keegan, who has been handed a three-and-a-half-year deal, said: "It's nice to be home. I'm delighted to be back."
He has little time with which to play on several fronts as he re-shapes the club for his latest crack at glory.
He inherits a squad depleted by suspensions and the demands of the African Nations Cup, and a staff of around 20 which had been expensively assembled by predecessor Sam Allardyce.
Fans still coming to terms with owner Mike Ashley's audacious swoop for a man who has never lost his folk-hero status in the city will hope for swift and decisive activity in what remains of the winter transfer window.
However, they will also eagerly await developments on Keegan's backroom staff as talk of a dream partnership with Alan Shearer persists.
The 37-year-old, a world record £15million signing by Keegan during his last spell at the helm, insisted he would happily talk to Keegan if he wanted him on board.
Speaking on BBC1, he said: "If he were to ring me and ask to speak to me, I would certainly speak to him. I'd be foolish not to."
Whatever Keegan decides on that front, he will head into his first game at the helm - Saturday's Premier League clash with Bolton at St James' Park - having already answered the prayers of the black and white faithful.
The announcement of his appointment took Tyneside by surprise, but as shock gave way to unbridled joy, thousands flocked to the stadium to pay their respects and watch Keegan's future charges secure an FA Cup fourth round trip to Arsenal with a 4-1 replay victory over Stoke.
Newcastle had been linked with an ever-growing list of potential candidates in the wake of Allardyce's departure last Wednesday evening and Harry Redknapp's withdrawal from the race to succeed him on Saturday.
Shearer, Mark Hughes, Gerard Houllier and Didier Deschamps had all attracted support with the bookmakers with early backing for Keegan having dwindled.
Ashley and chairman Chris Mort insisted they would take their time to get the right man as, armed with a list of very specific requirements, they set about the task of identifying suitable candidates.
Mort said: "We didn't think we'd be able to get Kevin back to the club but he's the right man and we're absolutely delighted."
Both he and Ashley wore broad smiles as they flanked Keegan in the directors' box last night with the reaction of jubilant supporters concrete evidence of the initial success of their mission.
The ball is now in Keegan's court as he attempts to address the club's immediate on-field problems before looking to the future, although the one thing that is guaranteed is that life will rarely be dull at St James'.
Source : www.sportinglife.com
