God

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has been holding talks with the Magpies board as speculation mounts over his future, BBC Radio Newcastle understands.

Reports have suggested that the 57-year-old has been unhappy with a lack of control over transfer activity.

Their only business on transfer deadline day was a £5.7m swoop for Spanish striker Xisco and the loan signing of midfielder Ignacio Gonzalez.

Keegan was only appointed in January, having first managed there from 1992.
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The transfer window saw the arrival of six players at St James' Park, with five players leaving the club.
James Milner was one of those who left last week, transferred to Aston Villa for a fee of £12m, with Keegan admitting it had been difficult to see the 22-year-old leave. <!-- S IBOX -->
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BBC Radio 5 Live football reporter Juliette Ferrington said: "It is thought that the sale of players and the failure to replace them brought this meeting to a head.

"It has been rumoured over the last few months that his relationship with the club's board has been strained," she said.

Keegan has also supported Joey Barton, after the controversial midfielder spent 74 days in jail for an assault conviction.

Barton will also be attending a personal hearing on Friday after admitting a Football Association violent conduct charge.

Ferrington added: "My understanding is that there was a disagreement over Joey Barton about a potential transfer to another Premier League club.

"Kevin Keegan wanted him to stay, and of course he gets his way but I'm told the board wanted to sell him."

One appointment two weeks into Keegan's tenure that caused controversy was Dennis Wise, taken on board to oversee transfer activity.
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The manager's relationship with owner Mike Ashley was also reported to have soured in May this year, after Keegan claimed that Newcastle were unlikely to break into the top four during his time in charge.

Fans were gathered in their hundreds outside St James' Park on Monday, angered by the suggestion Keegan's position could be in doubt.

Frank Gilmour, of the Independent Newcastle United Supporters' Association, said: "It's an absolute farce, you cannot run a football club like this."

The former Fulham, England and Manchester City boss, who also managed the club from 1992 to 1997, returned to St James' Park for a second time in January following the sacking of Sam Allardyce.

He walked out on the club during his first spell in charge in January 1997, citing off-pitch interference.

"This is on a par with what happened 11 years ago. I wouldn't blame Keegan for going whatsoever," said Gilmour.
The club are 11th in the Premier League having picked up just four points from their opening three games. <!-- E BO -->

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Tyler Durden

Long been the biggest joke club in England.

I would say "sadly due to their fans", however since I can remember the days of their sub 15,000 attendances in the ol' Division 2 in the late 80's, early 90's, I'm not even sure this little myth bears any great scrutiny?

Crocker

I remember this too, yet the Geordie fans still claim they are the most loyal in the country, what about City who were getting an average of 28,000 in a division lower than that or Leeds, who are currently spending a second season in a division lower than Newcastle were and are averaging more than 20,000 a week.

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The Phantom

I haven't got a bloody clue about what's happening up there. The fans, and board need to realise they are not a big club, and quite frankly never have been. It's not like they were winning championships and FA Cups 20 years ago.

Keegan needs to get out of there asap. It's obvious he's not the one calling all of the shots. Mike Ashley has implemented some bizarre hierarchy at Newcastle, which would be more suited to one of his Sportswear businesses. C'mon, can someone really tell me what Denis Wise exactly does?!

When (not a case of if anymore) Keegan does throw the towel in, who in their right mind would touch Newcastle? Shearer is far too sensible to have his first management job up there - so whoever it is won't be welcomed with open arms by the fans. They're in a lose-lose situation as far as I'm concerned.

Also who can take Mike Ashley seriously after being caught downing a pint at the Emirates on Saturday? No one is going to believe he thought it was a non alcoholic beer!! Idiot!

Mikk

I'd put a fairly resonable guess at Wise being the one who fills Keegans spot when he does finally depart.

And i like all these reports saying that the board haven't sacked Keegan but they haven't said he's walked.

I believe Keegan has gone and i knew it wouldn't last long.


And you do have to laugh at the barcodes for thinking they are a big club, seriously if they were a big club they'd have some silverware to show for it and they don't and that doesn't make you a big club by a long shot.

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