'He held no grudges' - Sir Alex pays tribute to Keegan
Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to the late football legend Kevin Keegan, highlighting his passion for the game and his ability to move past their intense professional rivalry. The two managers were famously competitive during the 1996 Premier League title race.
Why it matters
The tribute reflects on the legacy of a significant figure in English football and the nature of high-stakes professional sports rivalries.
[PA Media] BBC Tue, July 21, 2026 at 12:57 p.m. UTC · 2 min read Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Newcastle and England legend Kevin Keegan, who passed away on Monday at the age of 75.
The Scottish manager and Keegan shared one of the most famous rivalries in Premier League history as Manchester United and Newcastle United battled for the title in 1996.
Speaking to Track Radio, Ferguson said: "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.
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