It was a trait he displayed in abundance as a player when he amassed a haul of medals far greater than his reserves of natural talent.

After three league titles, an FA Cup, a European Cup and two UEFA Cups at Liverpool, he overcame the urge to see out his days in front of an adoring Kop to try his luck in Germany with Hamburg in 1977.

There he won the Bundesliga and was named European Footballer of the Year in 1978 - Michael Owen is the only Englishman to have scooped the Ballon D'or since.

Further challenges were met head on at Southampton and, of course, Newcastle, whom he helped lift back into the top flight as one of his last acts as a player before retiring in 1984.

Eight years spent predominantly on the golf course followed, and it seemed - just as it had since he stepped down as Manchester City manager almost three years ago - that Keegan was set to spend the rest of his days resolutely out of the limelight.

With hindsight, that was never likely.

In February 1992 he rode into Tyneside on a wave of goodwill - the Geordie messiah charged with rescuing a sleeping giant on the brink. Sound familiar?

After briefly walking away in a row over money, Keegan found his feet under chairman and bankroller Sir John Hall and oversaw an amazing Magpies revival.

United stood on the brink of sinking into the third tier when he arrived, but when that fate was avoided Keegan set about overhauling his underperforming squad, bringing in the likes of Rob Lee, John Beresford and Andy Cole - key figures in the golden days that were to come.

Promotion to the fledgling Premier League was secured at the end of 1992-93, and the progression continued upon Newcastle's elevation, culminating in the season which, when the current hype dies down, will surely define his managerial career.

In 1995-96, Keegan's 'Entertainers' blasted their way to a 12-point lead over Manchester United and a first title since 1927 seemed all but secure.

However, a position of seemingly untouchable strength was slowly eroded by Sir Alex Ferguson's Cantona-inspired Red Devils, and, like his team, Keegan imploded spectacularly with his infamous televised rant against the Scot.

But despite the capitulation of his team and his nerve - and his subsequent barren times with England and Manchester City - Keegan's standing in the eyes of an adoring Geordie public remained as high as ever.

Few away from Tyneside took calls for a Keegan return seriously when Sam Allardyce left earlier this month - particularly after he ruled out a return to management just three months previously.

But with United owner Mike Ashley desperate to bring flowing football back to St James' after mostly depressing times since 1997, there was really only one place he could turn.

It is now time for the man whose shadow has been cast long and dark over men of the standing of Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit and Sir Bobby Robson since his first departure to show that he is more than just a rose-tinted myth.