Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has honored Kevin Keegan, who died Monday at age 75, praising his impact on Newcastle United.

Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Kevin Keegan, the former Newcastle United manager who died on Monday at the age of 75. Ferguson, who competed against Keegan for the Premier League title in the 1990s, praised his former rival for his ability to re-energize Newcastle and build what he considers the club's greatest team.

A legacy of enthusiasm

Ferguson credited Keegan with bringing a sense of "enthusiasm and fanaticism" to Newcastle, noting that he transformed the club from a side in danger of relegation to the third tier into a dynamic Premier League force known as "the entertainers." He specifically highlighted Keegan's recruitment of players like David Ginola, Faustino Asprilla, and Philippe Albert as key to adding class to the squad.

Moving past rivalry

Despite a tense 1996 title race that included a famous televised rant by Keegan directed at Ferguson, the two maintained a friendly relationship. Ferguson recalled meeting Keegan at a pub near Wentworth golf club shortly after that season, where they spent the evening together. Ferguson noted that Keegan held no grudges, a quality he described as fantastic.