Franz Carr Reflects on His Rollercoaster Journey with Newcastle United: Fond Memories, Managerial Changes, and a Regrettable Transfer
Premier League Museum Admin 
Kevin Keegan
Franz Carr reflected on his time at Newcastle United with a mix of fondness and regret, recalling his experiences during his £250,000 move from Nottingham Forest in 1991. Despite his efforts on the field and multiple awards in the 1992 season, his position changed under Kevin Keegan’s management.
Franz Carr said “When you talk about managers and personalities at clubs, Kevin was as big as the club at that time. It’s rare because it’s usually the other way, the club is bigger. But he’d came back as a player and manager and was classed as the Messiah. Basically, it was Kevin Keegan United not Newcastle United.”
Carr expressed how he excelled during a successful run but was eventually dropped and replaced by Rob Lee, something he later understood from Keegan’s point of view.
Franz Carr said “I was one of them who if I wasn’t playing, I wasn’t going to sit on the bench. Kevin had said there’s 11 shirts and 11 numbers, if you do well you keep the shirt but I did well and was dropped.”
Carr recalled his disbelief when his manager at Nottingham Forest, Brian Clough, informed him he’d accepted Newcastle’s bid, an event Clough regretted in hindsight. Carr appreciated Clough’s acknowledgement of this in his book.
Franz Carr said “At the time I could have killed him. It was difficult. I saw him before he passed away, he mentioned it, and he does in his book, that he should never have sold me which was good.”
Carr reflected on Ossie Ardiles’ unique style of management upon joining Newcastle, recalling his initial disbelief when approached with a transfer offer.
Franz Carr said “When Ossie signed me I thought it was a wind-up. I thought it was one of the lads calling me taking the p***.”
Carr declined a move to Crystal Palace, motivated by his fondness for Newcastle despite the club’s financial difficulties.
Franz Carr said “I didn’t want to go. Palace offered me all sorts at the time but Newcastle were in all sorts of financial difficulties, and the club said we need to take this deal. But I said: ‘I love it here’.”
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