Former Newcastle United defender Philippe Albert says he may never see anyone in football with the charisma of Kevin Keegan after heaping praise on his former boss. Keegan is widely regarded as one of the club's best ever managers, creating the Entertainers side than ran close to the Premier League title.
To this day, the fact the Entertainers didn't win any major silverware is staggering for some, but attack was not always the best form of defence, as Albert knows all to well. The Belgian defender says he had no hesitation in following Keegan to Fulham in the years that would follow, even if it meant dropping down two divisions.
Eddie Howe's Newcastle United are hoping to bring back the feel good factor of the Entertainers, after reaching their first cup final in over two decades. The Toon will take on their old foe at Wembley with a chance to win the Carabao Cup in what would be their first trophy in 68 years.
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The current crop of Newcastle players have an opportunity to be talked about in the same ilk, if not greater than the 'Entertainers' who won no silverware during their time on Tyneside. Keegan is still held in such high regards at St. James' Park.
When asked if he was still in touch with his Keegan, Albert told Four Four Two: "Not as much as I’d like. I last saw him a few years ago when I played in a reunion match between the Newcastle and Liverpool sides involved in that famous 4-3 game.
"Even now, I don’t think football has seen anyone quite like him. He was a genuine world superstar at Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle, he went to Germany when it was very rare for players to go abroad but was European Footballer of the Year twice in his time there, and then he became a fantastic manager too.
"As a player, you just wanted to do well for him – I had no hesitation in joining him at Fulham, even though it meant dropping two divisions. I haven’t met anyone in football with Keegan’s charisma; I doubt I ever will.
"I still get quite emotional talking about those incredible days working for him!"
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