But Keegan is making no apologies for wearing his heart on his sleeve, and he insists Ashley does not scare him.
Keegan: "I am not scared of saying what I think the situation is, and I won't change that.
"Part of my job as manager of Newcastle United is to tell fans what's happening at their club.
"Part of the media's job is to report it correctly and keep it in context and not go off on tangents.
"You can take the same phrase three different ways, and it can mean three different things. You know that.
"I will continue to do what I have always done while I have been manager of Newcastle United, and at Manchester City and at Fulham and with England. I haven't changed."