PETER BEARDSLEY last night hailed Kevin Keegan's return to football with Manchester City, and declared: "It's a marriage made in heaven.''

Geordie legend Beardsley, who played alongside and under Keegan at Newcastle United and was a member of his England backroom team, is backing "KK'' to make it a promotion hat-trick with relegated City.

"It's is a massive club and Kevin is a massive personality - it's a marriage made in heaven,'' insisted Beardsley, who had a loan spell at Maine Road three seasons ago.

"Kevin will be positive, and it will be fun and exciting.

"But above all it will be successful. I think City have pulled off a masterstroke and I'm convinced the future there is rosy.

"It might sound daft considering Manchester United have just won the title again and City have gone down, but I wouldn't be surprised if the City fans are the ones smiling.

"You look at the uncertainty at Old Trafford at the moment and then the optimism that Kevin will give the City fans.

"I feel sorry for Joe Royle, but he'll get another job. I wasn't at City long, but I loved it and it's a great club.

"The supporters will enjoy watching their football under Kevin. The timing of his move there reminds me of when he joined Newcastle as manager.

"They were down on their liuck, but he brought the feelgood factor with him and look what happened.

"I think Newcastle fans would like to have him back even now.''

Beardsley admits he feared football had lost Keegan for good after he quit the England job last October.

"I thought he might have had enough,'' said Bearsley. "It was tough for him, but it didn't make him a bad manager. He enjoyed success with Newcastle and Fulham; they both ran away with championships and I'm sure he can make it a hat-trick with City.''

l Bayern Munich have rewarded Owen Hargreaves with a new improved three-year contract after his starring role in their Champions League success.

The 20-year-old English midfielder played the full 120 minutes in Wednesday's final against Valencia, which Bayern won 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

He came to prominence in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid and his current deal was due to expire next summer, but Bayern are keen to tie him onto a longer deal.