7 managers who were hired by and left the same club twice

6. Kevin Keegan – Newcastle United

Nearly a decade after parting ways with the Magpies as a player, Keegan would return to St. James Park to practically revolutionise the club from Tyneside. He arrived in the dugout amidst a desolate spell for the club, which saw them on the brink of relegation to England’s third tier.

The now 65-year-old, with the help of newly acquired forward David Kelly, the acquisition of Andy Cole and a rejuvenated squad fought the drop in Keegan’s first campaign, only to go one better and secure a remarkable first place and promotion to the top flight in the 1992/93 season.

Keegan continued to work his magic the following campaign, as the newly promoted Newcastle, confirmed a third place Premier League finish as well as UEFA Cup football. It would represent a golden era for the Magpies, who grew in strength and fell marginally short of the title in the 1995/96 season, only to be pipped to the post by Manchester United.

The decline that followed stemmed from this point and, after more seasons without title success as Keegan left in 1997.

Following stints with Fulham, England and Manchester City, his return to Tyneside was surprising albeit short-term. Results fluctuated and tensions grew between Keegan and Mike Ashley as his tenure progressed, only for him to say one final goodbye to his beloved Newcastle less than eight months into his second spell in charge.