“I’ve kept really quiet but I’ll tell you something, he went down in my estimation when he said that.”
Sometimes things happen in this beautiful game and you know there and then that they are going to be remembered forever.
April 29 1996.
Newcastle United could have had their title race ended that Monday night in Leeds and Kevin Keegan cracked despite their 1-0 win.
The Magpies closed the gap on United but, having already squandered a huge lead earlier in the season, it looked a lost cause and Keegan finally aired his grievances with counterpart Alex Ferguson.
The United manager was heaping pressure on Newcastle, questioning the integrity of their upcoming opponents and poor Kevin couldn’t take it anymore.
You’d have thought he might’ve been in good spirits following such a crucial win shown on Sky Sports but, well, the rest is history.
The world of social media and the idea of going viral didn’t exist back then but, Christ, imagine if it did.
Here’s how that night 20 years ago would have went down.
1. Kevin Keegan chats to Richard Keys and Andy Gray after the game
2. Meanwhile, journalists are patiently awaiting Keegan’s arrival at the press conference
They must’ve missed something.
Don’t worry, they’ll soon be reminded.
3. Bookmakers are breaking the news to the journos instead
Recap of that Kevin Keegan interview… pic.twitter.com/ghy4NUwss9
— Stratton Bookmakers (@StrattonBookies) April 29, 2016
Kevin Keegan has everything under control…https://t.co/n7MpT1BSCX
— Blue Square (@BlueSquareBook) April 29, 2016
4. The journalists are growing very impatient
They’re trying to figure out what’s going on.
Whatever’s going on, they’re not happy. Neither are the Twitter eggs.
5. Media outlets begin the scramble to break the news that broke five minutes ago
Online.
In print.
Everything bait.
6. The internet shows its best side at times like these
7. The internet shows its worst side at times like these
8. Memes are filling timelines
9. People get creative with their videos
From sad Keegan.
Sad Keeganhttps://t.co/G4yeSvxaDi
— Phil Stamp Society (@WeLovePhilStamp) April 29, 2016
This is the stuff of remix dreams.
I'm lovin' it lovin' it lovin' it…https://t.co/Wa6ANNkgm4
— FootballLOLS (@Football__LOLS) April 29, 2016
Relevant blockbusters are reeled out to express the feeling of a nation.
Oh Kevinhttps://t.co/Rbp2uxyrCF
— Blue Square (@BlueSquareBook) April 29, 2016
Not even Graham Taylor approves.
Newcastle fans be likehttps://t.co/eMtQL6vv5G
— Funny Football (@Funny____Footy) April 29, 2016
No mercy for Kevin.
They may take our lives, but we're still fighting for this titlehttps://t.co/f0rTI8zZjH
— Stratton Bookmakers (@StrattonBookies) April 29, 2016
10. A random Kevin Keegan is getting really pissed off
11. Someone cashed out. Someone always cashes out
12. A more analytical journalist puts forward a different school of thought, while simultaneously sucking the life out of the moment
13. Football people have their say
So do Twitter trolls.
A young Rafa respects the balls.
Exactly 19 years later, Nigel Pearson would be a victim himself.
The team don’t seem to mind anyway.
14. A staunch Geordie running the Newcastle account finally cracks
15. Newcastle fans are not happy
Newcastle fans on fan TV are not happy with Keegan's meltdown and they're predicting a very grim futurehttps://t.co/sHigPYvBUt
— Funny Football (@Funny____Footy) April 29, 2016
16. Richard Keys is very happy though
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