Former Newcastle defender Warren Barton believes the return of Kevin Keegan makes 2007-08 "a season to remember".
Keegan was confirmed as the Magpies' new manager this afternoon, returning to the club he managed from 1992 to 1997.
The Magpies languish in the bottom half of the Barclays Premier League table, just six points above the relegation zone.
But Barton said: "It's a season to remember already - he's come back.
"A UEFA Cup spot is a possibility. If I was in the dressing room and he walked in, that would give me a lift.
"The players have got to respond - there is quality in that team."
The right-back, who joined the Magpies from Wimbledon, continued on Sky Sports News "Since Sir Bobby Robson, the managers haven't realised what the club is about.
"But Kevin will know what it means - he'll have learnt from his time at England, Fulham and Manchester City and it's fantastic news for the club.
"The players will love playing for him as we all did - it's just what (owner) Mike Ashley and (chairman) Chris Mort and everyone at Newcastle needed. It's great for the club."
Barton continued: "He'll bring enthusiasm and desire, he knew what the area needed and what the fans expected.
"You'd listen to his team talk and he could motivate people. People will say he's not been in the game for a few years but he's got a big personality and enthusiasm and he knows the game - that's his strongest point.
Newcastle had a 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League in 1996 but were overhauled by Manchester United, with critics blaming Keegan's brand of attacking football for the failure to land the title.
And Barton explained on Sky Sports News: "People work hard and want to be entertained and he'll give the fans a great lift, although I hope he might be more tactically aware.
"He may have got older and greater but he's still got great style and charisma about him.
"He might play 4-4-2 and get some service for Michael Owen and Mark Viduka - but he'll give the players a great lift.
"His man-management is a key point. He knows the area, will speak to the fans and the people up there and lift the whole club.
"There is enough quality in that squad - he just has to get the best out of the players.
"He needs to add and he will - he got Philippe Albert and David Ginola from nowhere."
Another former Magpies defender Bobby Moncur, who played for the team in the 1960s and 70s, said: "It's a bit of a shock and a very nice surprise.
"Initially Alan Shearer was in the frame but I didn't honestly think Kevin would come back.
"But I'm delighted he's coming back because we need a big man - someone to lift the whole place. Kevin is the man to do just that.
"He was the Messiah when he came here - they were everyone's second-best loved team with the football they played with players like Ginola, Les Ferdinand and Peter Beardsley.
"The fans have been wanting to get back to the Kevin Keegan days. It's always more difficult second time around but Kevin feels he can do that.
"I don't think the type of player who was around in the 1980s is around now and although it may be a little bit harder it's a great appointment - I can't think of anyone better who will give the club a lift.
"Instead of looking towards tonight's FA Cup tie against Stoke thinking 'will we get a result here?' I think there will be a carnival atmosphere.
"Some of the players have to take responsibility for Sam Allardyce's sacking.
"But Kevin has wonderful man-management skills. He'll get them playing."
There has been speculation that Alan Shearer may work alongside Keegan but Moncur, who also played for neighbours Sunderland, said: "I'm not sure they could share the limelight - they are both big men in their own right so I'm not sure it will happen.
"But Kevin's appointment will make Mike Ashley tremendously popular.
"We were getting battered from one day to another but now he has gone out and got Kevin Keegan - that wipes the slate clean, as far as I'm concerned."
Jim Smith, who managed Newcastle from 1988-91, added on Sky Sports News: "The fans will be piling in hoping Kevin can turn it around and give them what they want."
And Lawrie McMenemy, who managed Keegan as a player at Southampton before taking a less successful job at Sunderland, said: "He's a terrific personality, a man of the people.
"He's been working very very hard at his soccer circus in Glasgow - he won't have to be running round the track to get himself fit. He'll be ready to slot in straight away with body and mind.
"Football moves forward all the time. We all keep in touch and see the developments but the game's still the same at 3pm when the whistle blows.
"There are more foreign players now but Kevin Keegan had them at Newcastle with Ginola.
"The dressing room won't be a problem, nor will the crowd and the boardroom shouldn't be.
"Success depends mainly on the players and they'll have to perform - the supporters know that."
Former England winger Chris Waddle believes the return of Keegan will allow United to once again compete for some of the game's best talent.
Waddle, who was a youngster at Newcastle when Keegan ended his playing days at St James' Park, insists the former Liverpool forward has more than enough attributes to make up for a lack of tactical astuteness.
"He's got to put some confidence in the team. He's a very positive fellow and that's one of his strengths as a manager - let's be honest, I don't think you thought about his teams as tactically solid," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"But he signed good players and he's a name who attracts players, and I think that is a big part of football today.
"Players look at wages but they like to play for a manager who has got a lot of passion, a lot of desire, and Kevin Keegan is a very big name in the world of football.
"He's got to the end of the month to get some players in, I'm sure there will be a lot of activity."
Far from being a hindrance, Waddle believes Keegan's time away from the game could prove a blessing.
"Everyone thought he would call it a day and that was probably the end of it, but if there's any club where his loyalties lie (it is Newcastle)," he added.
"He's got terrific backing here with the supporters who've always loved him, and it's brought him out of retirement.
"Hopefully his batteries will be recharged and he's got a lot of work to be done."
