Whilst it was Kevin Keegan’s ‘I’d love it if we beat them’ rant that seemed to confirm to most people that he was off his rocker, I’d say his real moment of madness came a lot sooner.
After picking up an amazing strike rate of 68 goals in 84 games for Newcastle, Andy Cole was sold by Keengan to United. In other terms, Cole scored in 81% of the games he played in, yet Keegan decided to get rid. Insanity!
Cole went on to achieve great things with us, winning the league five times, the FA Cup twice, as well as the European Cup. Whilst the five goals he scored in United’s 9-0 thumping of Ipswich will be remembered as a highlight, the partnership he formed with Dwight Yorke and the massive amount of goals he scored makes the 1998-1999 season the one that shines out.
He had eight years at United before moving on to Blackburn where he won the League Cup, the only trophy to his name outside of his years with us. It is no wonder he still feels such a strong bond with the club, explaining the season ticket he has at Old Trafford.
Only Alan Shearer has more Premiership goals to his name though, with Cole scoring an impressive 187 goals, but sadly, Cole’s career has now come to an end, in disappointing fashion.
“It’s not the ideal ending,” said Cole. “It just wasn’t working out. I told them from the outset that I didn’t want to go there to sit on the bench because I didn’t want to be perceived as sitting back and making easy money. I wanted to go there and offer something, but it was a strange one from the start. I never knew what my role was. Was it to lend a hand, use my experience, or was it a PR thing, to sell a few more season tickets? I still don’t know. I felt like the manager wouldn’t have a conversation with me. I don’t know if it’s the right word, but he seemed kind of intimidated by me.”
"Goal King Cole’s Career Is Over" was originally published at The Republik of Mancunia.
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