Kevin Keegan has spoken of his pride in a career that saw him win the World Player of the Year award twice, manage England and deliver one of the most memorable soundbites in football history. In a 2018 interview with Football Focus presenter Dan Walker, Keegan reflected on the standout moments of his playing and managerial life.
It was the 1995–96 season when Keegan, then Newcastle manager, uttered the now-iconic phrase “I would love it” in a passionate television outburst during the title race with Manchester United. The remark has lived on in football folklore. But Keegan's legacy extends far beyond that single moment.
“Kevin Keegan, in a 2018 interview, reflects on winning World Player of the Year twice and his iconic 'I would love it' remark.”
He was twice named World Player of the Year, a rare honour that placed him among the game's global elite. His playing career at Liverpool and later Newcastle made him a hero on both sides of the Pennines, while his stint as England manager from 1999 to 2000 saw him lead the national team at the European Championships.
“I'm proud of it,” Keegan told Walker, reflecting on his achievements. The interview, part of a BBC Sport series, offered a rare, reflective look at a figure whose career spanned the height of English football's transformation.
Keegan's remarks come as a reminder of an era when passion and personality defined the game as much as trophies. Whether as a player, manager or pundit, his impact remains etched in the sport's collective memory.
