by AF1 »
03 Sep 2008 13:10
KK failed to take training again today, and is holding futher talks, I think its all down to this:
Confusion reigns over the future of Kevin Keegan at Newcastle.
Reports as early as 10am on Tuesday suggested Keegan had left the club, and in the afternoon news leaked that Mike Ashley had sacked the man he appointed only nine months ago.
However, at around 7pm in the evening Newcastle issued an ambiguous statement in which they claimed Keegan had not been sacked, but offered very little by way of assurances about his future.
The statement read: "Kevin has raised a number of issues and those have been discussed with him.
"The club wants to keep progressing with its long-term strategy and would like to stress that Kevin is extremely important, both now and in the future.
"Newcastle United values the effort and commitment shown by Kevin since his return to St James' Park and wants him to continue to play an instrumental role as manager of the club.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the club has not sacked Kevin Keegan as manager."
However, reports this morning suggest that there is no way back for Keegan. The Guardian claims Keegan spent last night in a Manchester hotel 'in the company of his lawyers', and that he told 'friends' that he had indeed been sacked.
The delay appears to be over a clause in his contract that states Keegan must pay £1million should he resign, but it is thought he believes he has a good case for constructive dismissal, meaning that he would be entitled to around £8million in compensation.
The source of the discontent appears to be over Keegan's detached role in the club's transfer policy. After their 3-0 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend, Keegan stated that he would like to bring in 'three or four' players before the transfer deadline, including a top-class left back.
However, only two signings - a permanent deal for striker Xisco and the loan of midfielder Nacho Gonzalez - emerged, and it appears that the club were attempting to sell Joey Barton without the say-so of the manager.
Keegan is also reportedly unhappy about the way the club have handled Michael Owen's new contract talks, indeed, The Times claims that the Newcastle board attempted to sell Owen to 'any takers' before the deadline.
League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan admitted that Keegan was in a 'difficult position', but as yet had not resigned.
Speaking to BBC Radio Four's Today programme he said: "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 fans everybody knows 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."
Keegan is expected to hold more talks with the Newcastle board today, but his future may not be resolved for a few days.
The names of Gus Poyet, Dennis Wise, Avram Grant, Didier Deschamps, David Moyes and even David O'Leary have all been mentioned in connection with the job.