Kevin Keegan’s future as Newcastle United manager remained in the balance yesterday after the English Premier League club admitted that talks were continuing between the warring factions.
The 57-year-old is believed to have made clear his disgust at the club’s transfer policy in talks with Newcastle’s directors this week and reports yesterday claimed the former England coach could walk away from St James’ Park.
Newcastle responded by insisting Keegan is still their manager, but said he was still discussing the situation with owner Mike Ashley.
“Newcastle United Football Club can confirm that discussions are ongoing between the Board and Kevin Keegan,” a statement on Newcastle’s Web site read.
“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,” it said.
League Managers’ Association chief executive Richard Bevan admitted Keegan was “in a difficult position.”
Bevan said he could not confirm that the club’s attempts to sell England international striker Michael Owen had been the final straw for Keegan.
The club are also believed to have gone against Keegan’s wishes by trying to offload Joey Barton, the midfielder who served a prison sentence this year for assault and is facing a long suspension from the Football Association for another incident.
Other reports said Keegan — whose future at the club was brought into question earlier this year when Dennis Wise was appointed director of soccer in January without Keegan knowing — was disgruntled at Newcastle’s failure to make any major signings as the transfer window closed on Monday. The club’s only business on deadline day was the £5.7 million (US$10.1 million) signing of Spanish striker Xisco and the loan signing of midfielder Ignacio Gonzalez, although Keegan had reportedly not expressed an interest in either player.
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