Ashley Gets Mean And Dirty With Keegan!
By Nu Mad
Updated Sunday, 7th September 2008
Newcastle United have issued another statement insisting Kevin Keegan was allowed to carry out the job he was employed to do without interference. But the whole statement can be shot to pieces!
One of Keegan reasons for ending his eight-month spell in charge at St James' Park earlier this week was the part the board played in the Magpies' summer transfer dealings.
But Mike Ashley disputes any interference ... even though the only signing this summer that was on KK's shopping list was Danny Guthrie.
The statement said: "NUFC wished, at all times, to keep any dispute that it had with Kevin Keegan private.
"It is therefore disappointing that information has reached the media through unnamed sources and a briefing has been given by the League Managers Association that could give rise to a misleading impression amongst the club's fans.
"Newcastle United have no desire to engage in a war of words, but inaccurate reporting of factual matters and inaccurate allegations have to be corrected.
"It is a fact that Kevin Keegan, on appointment on January 16, 2008, agreed to report to a director of football and to the board.
"It is a fact that Kevin Keegan worked within that structure from January 16, 2008 until his resignation.
"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 Kevin Keegan was allowed to manage his specific duties without any interference from any board member.
"It is a fact that Kevin Keegan agreed only to deal with the media in relation to club matters relating to the team and not to communicate with the media in relation to the acquisition or disposal of players.
"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.
"The structure at NUFC is clear, and has been clear from January 16, 2008."
But Keegan has had backing from just about every corner, with ex-Toon players Les Ferdinand, Warren Barton, John Beresford ... and a host of others saying they understand why KK left the club ... with good reason.
Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer backedKeegan and insisted today there was no way he could take on the job with the current structure in place.
Shearer: "I would like to be a manager at some stage in my career, but that means controlling the players that go in and the players that go out.
"I don't think I would be comfortable working within a structure with a director of football who was picking and choosing the players for me."
Former Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson: "You cannot imagine Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger or Rafa Benitez being handed players they did not know anything about. And no manager worth his salt is going to take the Newcastle job with the current set-up."
