What Did The Club Actually Do To Try And Keep Keegan?

Last updated : 05 September 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

The billionaire sent Tyneside into pure anger as he refused to end Dennis Wise´s time at St James´Park and prompt Kevin Keegan to announced his resignation.

Keegan said: "I have been working desperately hard to find a way forward with the directors, but sadly that has not proved possible.

"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."

Keegan was furious to discover members of his already slim squad had been offered for sale during the final hours of the transfer window after he had reluctantly accepted James Milner's £12million departure to Aston Villa.

But having assured the club's fans he expected to recruit three or four top-quality signings by the time the deadline passed, he was left with only Spanish striker Xisco and loan signing Ignacio Gonzalez to add to earlier arrivals Jonas Gutierrez, Fabricio Coloccini, and Danny Guthrie, and that went nowhere near to meeting his expectations.

NUFC statement: "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, 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."