Keegan’s NUFC future in doubt after day of high drama

Sep 3 2008 by Paul James, The Journal

MIKE Ashley was last night fighting to keep Kevin Keegan after a day of high drama at St James’s Park.

But the future of his manager remained in doubt, with no official confirmation he would extend his eight months in charge.

Crowds of angry fans descended on the ground after rumours broke that Keegan was on his way, with fans pointing the finger at the club’s owner for his departure.

And after the day of rumour and counter-rumour, with the manager said to have resigned and been sacked, the club issued a statement in a bid to quell fans’ anger.

It said Keegan had raised issues with the board, that he had not been sacked, that he was extremely important and that the club wanted him to continue as manager.

But Keegan is known to have been frustrated with the club’s transfer policy and is also thought to be unhappy with level of influence he has been afforded as manager, with Dennis Wise operating as director of football since being brought in last season.

There were rumours of a heated discussion between the manager and managing director Derek Llambias on Monday night as the transfer window was about to close.

Rumours abounded about another bust-up yesterday morning, which then led to reports that Keegan had left Newcastle United.

Fans arrived with banners at St James’s Park, showing their support for their hero and calling for both Mike Ashley and Dennis Wise to leave. Fans also draped a home-made banner over the gates at Keegan’s house, reading, ‘Don’t Go KK, Ashley Out’.

The club remained silent throughout the day until releasing its statement at around 6.45pm.

It said: “Newcastle United can confirm that meetings between members of the board and manager Kevin Keegan were held both yesterday and today.

“Kevin has raised a number of issues and those have been discussed with him.

“The club wants to keep progressing with its long-term strategy and would like to stress that Kevin is extremely important, both now and in the future.

“Newcastle United values the effort and commitment shown by Kevin since his return to St James’s Park and wants him to continue to play an instrumental role as manager of the club.

“For the avoidance of doubt the club had not sacked Kevin Keegan as manager.”

Yesterday’s talk of his exit came after a slow end to the summer transfer window, the final day of which saw young Spanish striker Xisco signed and Uruguay midfielder Ignacio Gonzalez brought in on loan.

Three first-team players had been signed earlier in the summer, but before the weekend Keegan spoke of the need for another three or four new faces to boost his squad for the season ahead. And as talk of his discontent surfaced in recent weeks, Keegan has not been shy to back his players involved in contract talks or seen as expendable by Ashley.

He first defended forward Alan Smith when there was talk of him leaving for Everton, then repeatedly spoke of Michael Owen’s importance to the team, as the England striker’s negotiations with the club rumbled on.

Then last week, as popular midfielder James Milner’s transfer saga came to a head, Keegan told reporters he should be called up to the full England squad and that he wanted to keep him at the club, only for the player to then sign for Aston Villa.