Keegan discusses relationship with Ferguson during 1995/96 season: There were a day or two when I really disliked him

In the 1995/96 Premier League title race, Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United engaged in a fierce competition with Ferguson's Manchester United. Manchester United came back from being 12 points behind Newcastle in January and eventually won the title. Near the end of the season, Keegan said the famous phrase “I would love it” during a live television broadcast, becoming a classic moment in Premier League history.

According to Keegan's recollection in a 2007 interview, his relationship with Ferguson became tense after that interview and throughout the title race. “For a day or two I really didn't like him,” Keegan said. “Ferguson crossed the line, and that's the difference between me and him — because of that, he won 13 league titles and I won none.”

Keegan also shared a detail: he once defeated Ferguson's team 5-0. After the match, he shook hands with Ferguson, but only Cantona responded to him. “He shook my hand and said: ‘A truly [expletive] strong team.’”

Despite the intense competition at the time, Keegan said the two are now able to sit down and talk. “We talked a lot,” Keegan said. “I sold players to him, and he sold players to me; I helped him with charity, and he helped me with charity.”