The most exhausting thing I've ever done in my managerial life. “Blind fish” - that's what Kevin calls me to this day

KEVIN KEEGAN - eleven letters that not only enchanted football fans.

This wonderful player, great person and true friend has also cast a spell over me since our first contact in Hamburg in 1978.

On Sunday, “King Kev” or “The Mighty Mouse”, as the Liverpool and HSV fans affectionately called him, will be 70 years old.

I am very happy to have met this wonderful person.

I remember as if it had only been yesterday: On my very first day as HSV manager, Kevin stormed into my office on Rothenbaumchaussee in 1978. After only one year on the Elbe, he bluntly declared: "So that you know right away: I want to get away from here."