"God answers my prayers everywhere except on the golf-course."
Keegan's return to Newcastle
Give us a king to lead us 1 Samuel 8:6
So Kevin Keegan is the new manager [head coach] of Newcastle United. I wish him well as I have always had a soft spot for Newcastle since the days when Jackie Milburn was my hero. I still have his autograph!
Keegan is the fourth different head coach since Sir Bobby Robson was fired in August 2004. Graeme Souness got 17 months, Glen Roeder 15 months, Sam Allardyce less than 7. Each time with great optimism a new coach was appointed as the saviour of the club.
It is almost 10 years to the day since Kevin Keegan left Newcastle having taken them twice to second place in the Premier League. Somehow it will be harder to achieve second time round. Newcastle United was a mediocre team before the arrival of king Kevin and it is still is. Can he turn it round and help Newcastle win trophies? Time alone will tell.
The impatience of club owners with coaches, the fickle nature of supporters who welcome the new coach and then quickly turn against him reminded me of Israel's desire for a king in the days of Samuel. When Samuel warned them of the disadvantages of having a king, the Bible records - "the people refused to listen".
Saul's reign started well but then became one of the saddest periods in their history. God's words to Samuel were "it is not you [Samuel] that they have rejected, it is me they have rejected as their king."
I see the same fickleness in my own heart and the same tendency to reject God. Think of Newcastle United and examine your own heart. Oh, and let's hope they win against Bolton at the weekend!
Stuart
Stuart Weir