NEWCASTLE were last night facing a fans revolt as an 11th-hour rescue plan failed to prevent Kevin Keegan’s resignation.
The 57-year-old announced his departure as manager after three days of talks with the club’s hierarchy. He released a statement through the English League Mana-gers’ Association confirming his decision, which seemingly took the Magpies by surprise. The LMA revealed Keegan’s move came after he received a letter from managing director Derek Llambias yesterday which he felt left him with little alternative.
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.”
The move disappointed Newcastle, who had spent the last 48 hours or so trying to find a workable solution to a problem which had left angry supporters calling for the heads of owner billionaire Mike Ashley and executive director (football) Dennis Wise.
In a statement, the Magpies said: “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.”
Last night’s developments leave the Magpies looking for their sixth manager in four years, and facing the fury of fans who believe the man they consider a hero has been badly let down by Ashley.
Keegan was unhappy with the way the club conducted its transfer business over the final few days of he summer window, when it was claimed they tried to sell players behind his back while also failing to meet his expectations on signings.
Only Xisco and Ignacio Gonzalez arrived on Tyneside as the clock ticked down, and neither is understood to have been on the manager’s wish-list. He made his feelings abundantly clear at meetings with the board on both Monday and Tuesday.