Mantan bos Inggris, Keegan belum pernah melatih sejak meninggalkan Manchester City pada Maret 2005, tetapi menghangatkan spekulasi di Timur Laut setelah namanya disandingkan bersama Alan Shearer sebagai duo manajemen setelah Harry Redknapp dari Portsmouth mengundurkan diri.
Former England boss Keegan has not coached since leaving Manchester City in March 2005, but fevered speculation in the North East has linked him alongside Alan Shearer as a possible management duo now Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp has declined the position.