Sir Alex Ferguson pays heartbreaking tribute to Kevin Keegan and reveals secret meeting after ‘love it if we beat them’

SIR ALEX FERGUSON has admitted he had the “utmost respect” for old rival Kevin Keegan, who passed away on Monday. Former Liverpool star, Premier League boss and two-time Ballon d’Or winner Keegan died aged 75 after battling cancer. Sir Alex Ferguson looks back fondly on his rivalry with Kevin Keegan Credit: PA The two managers let bygones be bygones shortly after a frosty title battle in 1996 Credit: PA:Press Association He and Manchester United icon Fergie went toe-to-toe in the Prem’s early years, when Keegan was in charge of Newcastle. But Ferguson reflects positively on their rivalry and credits the job his opposite number did on Tyneside. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! The Scotsman told Track Radio: “I had the utmost respect for him. “We had many duels when he was manager of Newcastle, but I have to say the job he did at Newcastle was fantastic. “He re-energised that club and he brought that enthusiasm and fanaticism that great supporters can give. That’s the job he did. “I must say, the challenges we had with Newcastle at that time at United were huge. “Kevin carried the love of the game on his sleeve, there’s no question about that, and that carried right onto the fans, to the players. “That period at Newcastle was of emotion, it was excitement. They brought great players to the club too and they added to it, and it gave Newcastle – I think – their best ever team.” Most read in Sport Keegan said he would “love it” if Newcastle beat United to the title Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Keegan returned for a second spell in charge of Newcastle in 2008 Credit: Reuters The two managers’ rivalry peaked in 1996, when Newcastle blew a 12-point lead to hand United the league title. Weeks before the end of the season, in late April, a fired-up Keegan famously admitted he would “love it” if his Toon side pipped the Red Devils. He also said Ferguson had “gone down in his estimations” by hinting that teams were trying harder against United than they were against Newcastle. But they let bygones be bygones in a pub near Wentworth Golf Club, where they spent a night around the piano shortly after the campaign ended. Sir Alex continued: “The great thing about him, he held no grudges. That was a fantastic quality he had and we had a great night. “All aside whatever happened in previous weeks, that was soon forgotten. I really respected him for that.” Comment now