English footballer Kevin Keegan: biography, sporting achievements

Keegan Joseph Kevin - one of the brightest footballers in England. According to technical characteristics, Kevin Keegan was second only to George Best, who is also an Irishman, not an Englishman. Acted in the position of the striker. I visited the post of coach in a number of English teams, as well as the national team. At the moment, Kevin Keegan moved away from football.

First steps

Born on February 14, 1951. Kevin Keegan, whose rating amazes the minds of fans, was born in the town of Armpert, which is located near Doncaster (England). Kevin's father and grandfather are miners. To play football, little Kevin Keegan started in the school team "St. Petersburg's cheekbones." The boy was short, according to many, he did not have to get a great football future. At first, Kevin Keegan was determined on the position of the goalkeeper. However, soon the team came to the boy, who really liked to play at the gate, and Keegan went on the attack.

Playing football with Kevin turned out to be much better than learning. All his free time he spent for his favorite pastime. Even after leaving school, he did not stop playing football. Working as a student at a trading company in Doncaster, English footballer Kevin Keegan played for the most diverse teams in which he was happy to see. Playing in the attack, he adored exact strokes on the gate, which he did very well.

"Scunthorpe United"

Kevin Keegan, a footballer with amazing football skills, managed to attract the attention of the leadership of the club, speaking in the fourth strongest English league. The coach, who saw the young man as an undoubted talent, invited him to his place. Kigan trained with great efficiency and soon managed to break into the reserve squad. Kevin Keegan - a football player who gave himself to the game completely, thanks to which he won the location of the coaching staff. Already a famous footballer, Kevin said that it was at that moment he decided to go all the way to the top of English football. In the spring of 1968, he played his first professional match, and in December signed a new contract. Kevin Keegan, whose statistics attracted the attention of many eminent clubs, began to receive the first proposals for the transition.

Transition

Excellent performance, a young footballer was the goal of many clubs. Ahead of all stood "Liverpool". The then coach of the "Reds" (William Shankly) had an amazing flair for young talented players. Many experts consider Kigan's invitation to be the best acquisition in the biography of the coach. "Coventry" also interested Kevin Keegan. The coach of the club invited him to watch, but the specialists decided that he did not fit the team.

The entire potential of the player was able to consider only the leadership of "Liverpool". After watching several minutes of his game in the "Scunthrop United" all doubts were dispelled.

"Liverpool"

The offer of "Liverpool" was delighted Kevin Keegan. Coach "Red", after talking with the player, I realized that this is the player that the team needs. In May 1971, Keegan made the transition to the camp of "Liverpool" for 35 thousand pounds. At that time, the attacker was 20 years old. However, Kigan's transfer did not go smoothly. "Scananthropus" was not eager to part with its best player, besides, the leadership understood that other grants would join the fight for the player.

Debut and first matches

The first game in the new team Keegan conducted against "Nottingham Forest". Already in the seventh minute of the match he opened the scoring goals and surprised many fans of "Liverpool". In the first eight games of the season, Keegan was able to differ seven times, and the fans realized that in the camp of the "Reds" a new star appeared.

Despite the tremendous results, the attacker had the first problem - pain in the leg. The head coach, after accepting complaints from the player for the simulation, ordered to stop slandering. At that moment Keegan wanted to leave the team. Bob Paisley came to the aid of the player, who examined the leg and came to the conclusion that the cause of the pain is the gas pedal, which has sharp edges. After this incident, Keegan forgot about the problems with his health for a year and a half.

"Irreplaceable Keegan"

In a fairly short period, striker Kevin Keegan has become an indispensable player in the attacking line. Troika Toshak-Kigan-Hivei came out on the field in almost every match and showed amazing results. However, the first season in the ranks of "Liverpool" did not bring Kiganu high titles and awards. The club flew out of the cups and managed to take the third place in the league. The season was remembered by the fans of one of the most tense interchanges. Until the last round, "Red" retained the chance to win the championship. In the last game they had to beat Arsenal. "Liver" stubbornly attacked, but the ball players were able to shove only offside.

Before the beginning of the next season, the head coach strengthened the composition of the new supporting midfielder. "Liverpool" was ready to smash everyone. However, the national cups were again lost. Nevertheless, the team managed to take the seventh championship, as well as the UEFA Cup. Kevin Keegan, the height, whose weight was ideal, helped his team beat the "Borussia Mönchengladbach".

Unsuccessful season

The next season for Keegan and "Liverpool" turned out to be less successful. The club insulted in the final of the Cup of European Champions "Zverne Zvezde". In the league in the "Red" also things were not the best way. The start of the season was simply disgusting, but later the team managed to improve their position a little. At the end of the season fans were waiting for an explosion from Liverpool, but this did not happen. The championship was won by "Leeds". The team was able to shine only in the FA Cup and finally win this title. The reason for this unsuccessful season can be called the unstable game of many key players, including Kigan, who got into a fight at the Belgrade airport.

Shankley Care

Fans of Liverpool, you can say, worshiped Bill Shankley, but suddenly he announced his resignation as head coach. This statement has shocked many fans, as well as players. Place Shankley took Bob Paisley, who did not see himself in the role of head coach. Persuaded to sign a contract, including Keegan. Paisley cast aside doubts and went on to coach. Soon he surpassed Shankly. Kevin Keegan had a black streak at that time.

In the match for the country's Super Cup, which was held before the start of the new season, Kevin Keegan started a fight with the player, "Leeds". Both players were removed and received 11 disqualification matches. During this period Kigan was very difficult. "Liverpool" even without Keegan played well enough and even won in many games. Paisley made a number of changes, but this did not help the club win titles. "Reds" flew out of the cups, and in the championship are located on the second line.

New victories

British coach Kevin Keegan, who is known to many as a mentor, started the new season with great hopes. "Liverpool" was able to repeat the achievements of 1973 - the championship and the UEFA Cup. It is worth noting that in the fight for the European Cup "Red" in the semifinals was opposed by the formidable "Barcelona". However, the Spaniards were defeated, and an important contribution was made by Kevin Keegan.

Soon something happened that shocked the leadership of the "Liverpool" and the fans. Kevin Keegan demanded to put him on the transfer. The reason for this could be the desire of a football player to receive a higher salary. However, a quick transition did not happen, and Keegan spent another season in the camp of "Liverpool". During this period he helped the team to become champions again, and also to win the UEFA Cup.

"Hamburg"

In 1977, Kevin Keegan moved to the camp of the German team. Here he encountered new difficulties, namely: a tougher game, hard training and so on. His first goal the Englishman scored in a friendly game against Liverpool. However, in the championship of Germany, to prove himself immediately from Kevin did not work. Many leaders of the team simply ignored the legionnaire. A great role in the adaptation of the player to the new conditions was played by the club coach. After a while, Keegan became the leading player of the team, as well as the top scorer.

Quite a lot of suggestions for the transition Keegan received from England, but refused to return.

"Southampton" and "Newcastle United"

In 1980, Kevin Keegan accepted the offer from Southampton. The attacker managed to spend two good seasons, but many already attributed him to the veterans (besides, the player was not let the trauma go).

Soon Keegan went to play in "Newcastle", which at that time was in the second division. The striker immediately accepted and handed over the captain's armband. For two years, Keegan helped the team return to the football elite. This achievement can be considered an excellent career completion (one year in Malaysia does not count).

The next few years, Keegan worked part time on television, as well as in advertising. Return to football occurred in 1992. Kevin Keegan accepted the offer to head Newcastle United.