Newcastle United deny Keegan claims

Sep 7 2008 By Dan Thomson

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NEWCASTLE United last night issued an extraordinary statement denying claims by Kevin Keegan that club interference caused him to resign.

Keegan left St James’s Park on Thursday saying he had no control over transfer dealings. But the club last night insisted Keegan was fully aware of his role when he was appointed by Mike Ashley in January.

The statement, issued on the NUFC website late on Saturday, reads: “It is a fact Keegan was allowed to manage his duties without any interference. 

“It is a fact he agreed not to talk to the media in relation to the acquisition or disposal of players.

“It is a fact that Kevin Keegan worked within that structure from January 16 2008 until his resignation.”

Angry supporters protested outside St James’ Park last week after news of Keegan’s departure broke, with many blaming executive director Dennis Wise for his perceived control of the club’s transfer dealings.

In particular, Keegan was understood to be upset about the sale of James Milner to Aston Villa for £12m while only Xisco and Nacho Gonzalez came in the other direction on transfer deadline day.

Interestingly, last night’s statement by the club does not list transfers as among Keegan’s specific duties as manager.

It reads: “It is a fact that Kevin Keegan, as manager, had specific duties in that he was responsible for the training, coaching, selection and motivation of the team.

“It is a fact that NUFC is a business and operates, like all businesses, with financial constraints. It is a fact that NUFC’s financial constraints inform its transfer dealings.

“The board of NUFC have responsibility to ensure that the club is able to meet its commitments, which include the wages and the transfer fees for players.”

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