Keegan confirms Magpies exit
by Tom Adams, 04 September 2008
After three days of intense speculation surrounding his future, Kevin Keegan has now confirmed that he has resigned as Newcastle United manager.
Keegan has not taken training at Newcastle since transfer deadline day as he had been involved in lengthy negotiations with the St James’ Park powerbrokers regarding his position at the club.
His second spell as Magpies manager has now come to a premature end after less than eight months with Keegan blaming interference from the club’s hierarchy for making his position untenable.
It is believed that the former England manager was disillusioned by the decision to sell James Milner to Aston Villa and that the signings of Xisco and Nacho Gonzalez on Monday did little to lighten his mood.
"I've been working desperately hard to find a way forward with the directors, but sadly that has not proved possible," Keegan said in a statement.
"It's my opinion that a manager must have the right to manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want."
"It remains my fervent wish to see Newcastle United do well in the future and I feel incredibly sorry for the players, staff and most importantly the supporters.
"I have been left with no choice other than to leave."
After memorably resigning from his post in 1997, Keegan returned to St James’ Park amidst a wave of optimism in January and after a difficult introduction to life back in The Premier League, results picked up towards the end of the season.
A draw against Manchester United at the start of the new campaign boded well, but internal tensions have resulted in the departure of the man who remains a vastly-popular figure amongst the club’s support.
A club statement read: “Newcastle United Football Club is sad and disappointed that Kevin Keegan has resigned.
“Over the last few days the club has devoted itself to the discussions it has held with Kevin and as a result of those discussions had put together a set of practical suggestions for how to move forward.
“Today (Thursday) the club made it clear to Kevin that if he had any outstanding concerns on its proposals, he should raise them with the club.
“The club regrets that Kevin has, instead of taking up that offer, chosen to resign.”
News that Keegan could be leaving sparked protests outside St James’ Park earlier in the week, with fans calling for the exit of owner Mike Ashley and executive director (football) Dennis Wise.
However, in a development that is likely to infuriate Magpies supporters, it is the popular manager who has walked away from Tyneside for the second time in his career.
Keegan joins Alan Curbishley in resigning his post in recent days as a result of transfer disputes with his club's board.
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