charles
Graham Fisher
Andrew Aigner-Muehler
LukeS
HardyKevin Keegan quits Newcastle...again
September 5th 2008 04:45
Serial quitter, Kevin Keegan, has resigned as manager of Newcastle United for the second time in his managerial career after just eight months in the hot-seat.
The resignation of the former England and Manchester City boss comes after three days of intense speculation about his future with conflicting rumours he had either been sacked by the club or had walked out after a huge bust-up with the directors.
In a personal statement, Keegan said: "I've been working desperately hard to find a way forward with the directors, but sadly that has not proved possible," said the former player.
"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." he added.
"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." he added.
Since Keegan ended his first tenure - also by quitting - at the club in 1997, Newcastle United have had six managers Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit, Sir Bobby Robson, Graeme Souness, Glenn Roeder and Sam Allardyce until "King Kev's" return in January 2008 - that's 7 managers in total in a relatively short space of time.
On face value, it appears that Keegan's position at the club had been severely undermined by a number of factors including transfer dealings behind his back; the uncertainty over Michael Owen's future and the existence of a technical director in Dennis Wise - a role created shortly after Keegan's re-appointment in January to oversee the technical side of things and player recruitment.
The other side of the story is that Newcastle United released a statement saying they were "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." the Club said.
"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."
"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."
It's hard to believe every word this club has said given their poor record of treating their managers - just ask Glenn Roeder and Sam Allardyce. They also seem to harbour a group of directors hell-bent on causing instability at the club or have complete disdain for the club's supporters - fans which are regularly voted some of the best in the country - by making them suffer.
However, what is hard to ignore in this particular case is that Kevin Keegan is a serial quitter. He first walked out on Newcastle in 1997 stating he had taken the club 'as far as he could'. When Keegan became England manager, he also chose to walk out on his country after losing the last game to be played at the old Wembley Stadium. Then it was Manchester City's turn with Keegan walking out without seeing the 04/05 season through after telling the chairman his desire to retire from football at the end of that season.
There's a pattern there, no doubt about that.
But what a week in English football - a rich Abu Dhabi consortium takes over Manchester City and gives them Robinho as their new signing. Two managers have walked out on their jobs after just three games into the 2008-09 season.
And I bet the drama isn't over yet either.
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