Newcastle United: NASL’s failed bid for Kevin Keegan

A look back at how things could have been different for the legendary Newcastle United striker.

Kevin Keegan is one of the true icons of Newcastle United Football Club, with his impact felt as both a player and a manager. As the leader of “The Entertainers”, Keegan led the Toon to Premier League title battles and into European competitions.

When he arrived on Tyneside as a prolific striker in 1982, his work up front was a catalyst for earning promotion back to the top flight. However, it all could have worked out very differently for the Magpies if Keegan had signed a contract to play in the United States years earlier.

The talented forward was a force at Liverpool in the early 1970s, and eventually wanted a new challenge. Keegan found and succeeded at that challenge in the Bundesliga with Hamburg, twice being named European Footballer of the Year (Ballon d’Or) in 1978 and 1979.

Around the same time, the North American Soccer League (NASL) was at its peak, and there was plenty of celebrity power (and money) to intrigue Keegan regarding a move to the States. The likes of Pelé, George Best and Franz Beckenbauer were all a part of it, and the Washington Diplomats were keen on adding Keegan to the star-studded division.

Former Washington head coach Gordon Bradley’s close friendship with the mercurial striker was a key aspect, and the side were set to make a push for their target. Club director at the time, Andrew Dolich seemed mighty confident in the transfer happening according to the Washington Post. “I think it’s very important to this organization that we sign Kevin Keegan or someone like him.”

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The deal ultimately fell through, some citing financial issues while it also seems that the structure of the league was an issue. The NASL often added European players on-loan only in the summer, effectively taking away any off-season for those involved and keeping them out of certain tournaments.

What could have been

If the Diplomats had been able to sign Keegan, it does not necessarily guarantee that he wouldn’t have made his way to St. James’ Park a couple of years later. But it would have offered potential complications.

Eventually folding in 1984, the NASL was infamous for turf pitches and extensive travel (there was even a team in Hawaii for one season). Only for a summer or two, those aspects would have been tough on a fatigued Keegan moving forward. Perhaps he would have decided on a different destination after the US and Germany, or injuries may have taken a toll on him. We’ll never know for sure.

He departed for Southampton instead, and two years later began his journey to the First Division with the Toon. Washington had to settle for a certain Dutch wizard in the midfield by the name of Johan Cruyff.

Without Keegan, Newcastle may not have earned promotion in his final campaign. Yes, Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle could have been enough, but “King Kev” was a truly vital component. Thanks to his efforts, the Magpies continued to evolve in the early half of that decade.

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Kevin Keegan is adored by many Newcastle United supporters, and it is interesting to consider what could be different for the club if he had signed a contract to play in the United States all those years ago.