Owen problem for Keegan
Michael Owen may have marked Kevin Keegan's return to Newcastle with his first goal for the club since October 7, but handling the England striker looks like presenting the new manager with his first big test.
Owen went on record in his 2004 autobiography with criticism of Keegan's man management skills based on his experiences at the finals of Euro 2000.
In the book, Owen reveals that he "really started to resent" Keegan during the tournament and felt that he was made a scapegoat for England's first-round exit.
"I used to go into games believing that the opposition was scared of me and feeling nothing could get in my way," Owen wrote. "That feeling, that belief, evaporated at times when I played under Keegan.
"I don't think Keegan had any sort of personal agenda against me, I just think that as England manager at a major tournament he felt under enormous pressure and he needed something or someone to blame.
"I was an easy target. I wasn't on top of my game."
As Keegan resigned as England manager at the start of the following season, the two men did not have time to repair the damage down to their relationship at Euro 2000.
But Alan Shearer, the former Newcastle striker who was also part of the England squad in 2000, believes they can make a fresh start at club level.
"I have gone on record as saying I think any centre forward playing under Kevin Keegan will, dare I use the words, 'love it'," Shearer said on Thursday.
"He wants to attack and play with two wingers and get balls into the box. If that is the case Michael Owen will certainly enjoy playing under him. He will score goals.
"They are grown adults and will get over that. I think that is in the past and the two men will look to the future."
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