Undoubtedly, Kevin Keegan is one of Newcastle's greatest legends. His revival of Newcastle from staring into the abyss to almost Premier League glory is one of the club's greatest and heart breaking stories. It is fair to say Keegan represents what Newcastle is about: Passion, attacking football and a flair for the dramatic. However, Keegan is also a divisive figure within the Newcastle support.
For older fans, Keegan has given the club some of the greatest memories the club will ever give them. The Entertainers still bring a smile to the face of anyone who watched them. He is the man who gave them memories such as the 5-0 drubbing of Manchester United. For the younger fans, he is only known as the man who promised much, and walked out quickly after taking the reigns. Through no fault of their own, their only experience of Keegan only paints a negative image.
During Keegan's interview on Sky Sports, the charismatic and interesting Keegan spoke at great lengths on his career, and had many fans praising the man, notably the fans who experienced his first, great reign. On the other hand, you had a small minority who were not so enamoured by his stories. For younger fans, he is seen as a quitter, a man who walked out on the club he loves. Naturally, two such opposing views on a man so important to the club's history led to hositility on both sides.
It is unfair to criticise anyone who believes in either side of Keegan. It is only natural that those who experienced Keegan, the player and/or manager have every right to love and back the legend to the hilt. On the other hand, those younger fans are more than entitled to be annoyed at Keegan. To have such an important club figure return left many of the youngers fans dreaming and hopeful, no doubt after the tales of older fans. To lose this in a matter of months as he walks out of the club, hurts. They have just as much right to be disappointed by this, as much as older fans hold the right to revere Kevin Keegan.
Keegan also represents the darkest days of the Ashley reign, with court proving that the regime lied, and interefered, and the club were soon relegated. These sort of events perfectly contrast events such as the subsequent promotion and 5th place finish of last year. Just like Keegan, the regime are just as divisive. Again, with fans allowed every right to back either side.
While the conflict over the regime is not so much a generational thing, the divisive nature of it associated with the rise and fall of a club legend has only exacerbated the feeling towards both issues, as the interview reminded fans of darker days.
Kevin Keegan is undoubtedly one of the greatest men to be involved with Newcastle United, but both sides of the fans opinions are understandable.