Clifford: Keegan will return

Oct 5 2008 by Steve Brown, Sunday Sun

KEVIN KEEGAN WILL return to Newcastle United if Jonathan Cleland’s South African consortium is successful in its bid to buy out Mike Ashley — Cleland’s right-hand man confirmed.

However, another South African — Johann Rupert, who has already ruled himself out of any takeover — has cast doubt on Cleland’s attempts to assume control of the club . . .

Claiming his countryman’s £300 million offer may be “fake”.

Cleland aims to appoint Middlesbrough fan Simon Clifford — the pioneer of the popular Futball de Salao franchises, but less successful in his time under Clive Woodward’s ill-fated spell at Southampton — as technical director if Ashley sells.

And Clifford has confirmed that talks to bring Keegan back to Tyneside have taken place.

“Our No 1 priority is to return Kevin to the club,” said Clifford. “We had a very good meeting on Monday.

“I know there are other consortiums looking at the club as it is a terribly attractive proposition. I am under no illusion that Kevin may speak to them also, but we did have a mutual interest in working together.”

However, billionaire Rupert has rubbished reports that he has eyes on succeeding Mike Ashley as owner.

He insisted: “I have never met Mr Cleland, never spoken to him on the phone and my secretary does not have a record of him calling.

“I don’t know anything about football and I’m not a football man.

“I think it is a bit naughty. I feel sorry for the fans because of the things that are going on there.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole thing was a fake.”