EPL, Premiership, English Premier League

View Keegan leaves Newcastle for more information.

While it was reported earlier that Keegan had been sacked or had resigned, it appears that Newcastle and Keegan may be patching things together.

“Newcastle United Football Club can confirm that discussions are ongoing between the board and Kevin Keegan. Both the club and Kevin would like to reiterate that Kevin remains as manager. He has not resigned nor has he been sacked, as has been confirmed in respective statements made by Kevin and Newcastle United Football Club.”

Newcastle fans were obviously angered at Newcastle’s management and reacted to the news by protesting. Keegan would also receive €8 million in compensation; both of these factors may have caused the Newcastle bureaucracy to think again.

League Managers’ Association chief executive Richard Bevan made a few statements about the situation:

“It is not ideal having to speak to you on managers’ positions so early in the season but I was speaking to Kevin Keegan at length last night. He has not resigned. He is in a difficult position - he’ll be discussing really important issues with the Newcastle board over the next few days. The football club and the fans are massively important to Kevin and after such heavy coverage and speculation yesterday it was important to make this statement that he has not resigned. I can understand that there is an eagerness for more information on the problems but at this stage I think it is important that we let the parties communicate and it would be inappropriate for me to pre-judge any outcome or explain the issues much more at this particular point”

“I’m just saying he has not resigned, he will be working hard to communicate with the Newcastle board and we’ll have to wait and see what the outcome is over the next few days.”

Reportedly owner Mike Ashley wanted to sell Joey Barton and possibly Michael Owen. When asked if these intentions had resulted in Keegans apparent upset he said, “I can’t confirm that either way.”

View Joey Barton: Life of a true Asshole for more information.

• UPDATE: Kevin Keegan has resigned from Newcastle after much debate between him and the Newcastle managerial staff.

“I’ve 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.” A crowd of fans appeared outside St.James Park and demanded for the director of football Dennis Wise and owner Mike Ashley to resign. Newcastle Club released a statement lamenting Keegan’s loss:

“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. 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.”