Newcastle United FC

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Magpies regret Keegan exit

05 Sep 2008 - 09:30:40

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Newcastle United insist they did not want Kevin Keegan to leave the club and are disappointed the former England boss has opted to vacate his role at St James' Park.

Keegan finally resigned on Thursday evening more than 48 hours after reports of his departure first surfaced, following an alleged disagreement with the directors about the club's transfer policy.

However, a statement on the club's official website read: "Newcastle United football club is 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.

"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."

The 57-year-old had said on Thursday: "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."

An additional statement from the League Managers' Association read: "The letter which Kevin received today from managing director Derek Llambias has failed to resolve the matters in issue between him and the club and accordingly he feels he has no alternative other than to resign."

Keegan only returned to Tyneside in January, following the sacking of Sam Allardyce, having previously been in charge at the club between 1992 and 1997.