The fanatical Tyneside support was delighted by Keegan's return

"I was astounded. I never saw him coming back into the game but now he's made that decision, it's a fascinating appointment," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We've got a magnificant stadium. The whole basis of the club is there.

"It's just been getting the manager right. Hopefully that will happen. He's given everyone hope again."

Sir John, who sold his majority shareholding in the club to Mike Ashley last year and is now life president of Newcastle United, believes a major factor in the excitement is the style of play that Keegan advocates.

There's a buzz about the place Sir John Hall

Recalling the former England manager's previous reign on Tyneside he said: "We played such wonderful soccer. We didn't win anything, mind. We got promotion but the soccer we played was tremendous.

"Newcastle, at the time, was everybody's second club. That's what people on Tyneside want to see. If he can do that again, it just gives them hope.

"They love their soccer up here. You've got to remember, in spite of what's been happening, 50,000 still turn up every week. If he starts to win I can see the club having to extend the stadium."

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The former chairman was at St James' on Wednesday as Newcastle trounced Stoke 4-1, with Keegan cheering the team on from the stands.

"There is a buzz about the place," Hall enthused. "I was there and he's certainly given people hope again.

"There's a great expectancy he can revive the club as he did the first time he came as a manager. It's great news for the club and I hope he can do it."