Keegan returns to manage Newcastle

By Mike Collett

LONDON (Reuters) - Newcastle United dramatically turned the clock back more than a decade on Wednesday by naming Kevin Keegan as manager.

Keegan, 56, who played for Newcastle in the 1980s and managed them for five years in the 1990s, was chosen as the club's fifth boss in three and a half years. He succeeds Sam Allardyce who left last week after eight months in the job.

"Geordie messiah to be unveiled as new manager," read a headline on the club's official Web site (www.nufc.co.uk) ahead of Wednesday night's FA Cup third-round replay at home to Championship (second division) side Stoke City.

"Kevin Keegan is returning to Newcastle United as manager," the club added in a move certain to be hugely popular with their loyal fans.

Keegan attended the match against Stoke and was given a rapturous welcome by Newcastle's fans when they saw him enter the directors' box soon after kickoff.

The former England coach was first appointed manager of Newcastle in 1992 when he saved the club from possible relegation to the old third division.

Keegan then took Newcastle into the Premier League in 1993 and remained with them until 1997 when he left to join Fulham and later England.

He left the England post in October 2000 before moving to Manchester City but has been out of management since leaving City in 2005.