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Football Insider

Newcastle legend Kevin Keegan shares his pick for surprise Premier League signing and praises Eddie Howe's impact at St James' Park

Newcastle, Liverpool, and England legend Kevin Keegan reveals the player he would sign if managing today, alongside commending Eddie Howe for his exceptional influence at St James' Park. From his notable playing career to his managerial stints, Keegan's insights shed light on the current football landscape and developments at his former club.

Newcastle legend Kevin Keegan shares his pick for surprise Premier League signing and praises Eddie Howe's impact at St James' Park

Newcastle, Liverpool and England legend Kevin Keegan has named the player he would sign if he were managing in football today, while praising Eddie Howe for his "profound" impact at St James' Park. The 74-year-old, who was speaking on behalf of Guinness, won the Ballon d'Or twice as a player and had two spells in charge of the Magpies, famously leading one of their best ever teams in Premier League title races during the 1990s before returning for a brief stint in 2008.Keegan is one of England's greatest ever players, having made his name during a trophy-laden spell with Liverpool before moving to the Bundesliga with Hamburg. He later returned to the United Kingdom for two seasons with Southampton before spending two campaigns with Newcastle. He briefly came out of retirement to play for Blacktown City in Australia, but that spell only lasted two games.Now, he has returned to the spotlight by helping Guinness launch a new campaign which will see 10,000 free pints be poured around non-league grounds on Boxing Day. He surprised fans at Scunthorpe United, where he played three seasons in the Fourth Division, scoring 22 goals in 141 appearances before moving to Anfield.Keegan managed in the Premier League, taking charge of just over 250 games in all competitions during his first spell at Newcastle, which lasted just under five years. He would go on to lead Fulham for little over a year before an ill-fated time as England manager, with his next role coming at Manchester City. He won 77 of his 176 matches between 2001 and 2005 and then made a brief return to Newcastle in 2008, though that stint only lasted 22 games.Clearly an expert who knows a good player when he sees one, the 74-year-old picked out a current Newcastle star as the player he would look to sign if he were managing a team in today's game.He said: "Bruno Guimaraes: a midfielder who plays with imagination and bravery, traits increasingly rare in possession-heavy modern football and perfect for an attacking, expressive side."Keegan was speaking on behalf of Guinness after returning to the club where he began his career, Scunthorpe United, to launch a new campaign which will see 10,000 free pints poured at non-league grounds this Boxing Day. The former England manager got behind the bar himself to pull pints and join supporters in festive chants as Guinness celebrate the fans and volunteers who keep grassroots football alive. To check where the offer is available and redeem your free pint, visit: redemptions.fanzo.com/Guinness-Boxing-DayKeegan was also delighted to see Newcastle end a 56-year trophy drought when they lifted the Carabao Cup last season.He added: "I was absolutely delighted for Eddie [Howe] because he’s not just a good coach - he understands the identity and emotional heartbeat of Newcastle, something many managers before him struggled with. He’s rebuilt the club’s connection with supporters through honesty, hard work and a clear style of play, and delivering the first trophy in my lifetime since I was a child shows how profoundly he’s changed the mood around the place. "For Newcastle to challenge again, they need to keep building on that clarity - smart signings, patience, stability and maintaining their strong culture. With Europe now part of the journey, they finally look like a club moving upwards with real purpose."Non-league fans up and down the country will be able to get their hands on a free pint on Boxing Day. Many supporters could find themselves watching such fixtures, with the Premier League only featuring one game that day, which coincidentally is Newcastle's trip to Manchester United.Speaking about the lack of games, Keegan added: "The loss of the full Boxing Day fixture list takes away a treasured communal tradition; when every team played, it felt like the whole country came together through football."Before then, Newcastle have an intriguing trip to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night. Howe's side have won three of their five games in the Champions League so far, most recently losing at Marseille after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's double despite taking an early lead through Harvey Barnes. Following that trip to Germany, Newcastle face local rivals Sunderland, Fulham in the Carabao Cup, Chelsea, United and Burnley in their remaining December fixtures.

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The Legendary Kevin Keegan: A Life in Football

Kevin Keegan, a football icon celebrated for his achievements both on the field and on the touchline, recently offered his perspective on the modern game. Having enjoyed successful spells with clubs like Liverpool, Newcastle, and Hamburg, Keegan's unique journey through the football world brings a wealth of experience to his commentary.

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Keegan's Pick: Bruno Guimaraes

In a surprising revelation, Keegan singled out Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle as his top choice for recruitment in today's football landscape. Keegan highlighted Guimaraes's attributes of creativity and courage, qualities that he believes are becoming increasingly rare in the evolving style of play prevalent in modern football.

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Eddie Howe's Impact at St James' Park

In praising Eddie Howe's transformative effect at Newcastle, Keegan commended the manager for reviving the club's spirit and connection with the fans. Recognizing Howe's ability to instill clarity, hard work, and a distinct playing style, Keegan emphasized the importance of smart signings, stability, and building upon the current positive trajectory at the club.

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Guinness Celebrates Grassroots Football with Kevin Keegan

Collaborating with Guinness, Keegan revisited his roots at Scunthorpe United to launch a campaign offering 10,000 free pints at non-league grounds on Boxing Day. Embracing the grassroots football community, Keegan engaged with fans, pulled pints, and joined in festive celebrations, underscoring the significance of local football culture.

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Looking Ahead: Newcastle's Exciting Journey

As Newcastle continues its resurgence under Howe's guidance, Keegan expressed optimism for the club's future prospects. Reflecting on Newcastle's Carabao Cup triumph and their evolving competitiveness in European competitions, Keegan stressed the importance of sustained progress, sound decision-making, and preserving the club's enduring principles.

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Embracing Football Tradition on Boxing Day

Discussing the tradition of Boxing Day football fixtures, Keegan lamented the reduced game schedule but highlighted the unifying spirit that football brings to communities nationwide on this day. While fans anticipate Newcastle's clash with Manchester United, Keegan's sentiments underscore the communal significance of shared footballing experiences.

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Upcoming Matches and Exciting Prospects

With pivotal fixtures on the horizon, including a Champions League encounter with Bayer Leverkusen and local derbies against rivals like Sunderland, Newcastle embarks on a crucial period in their season. As they navigate challenging opponents in the league and cup competitions, Keegan's observations provide a nuanced perspective on the club's journey ahead.

Published on Dec 10, 2025