An article in the Mail claims Kevin Keegan's future as the Magpies' manager looks increasingly uncertain because of a serious rift developing with Ashley, and we have heard similar tales from our man inside St James' Park. Keegan To Quit - Wise To Take Over?
An article in the Mail claims Kevin Keegan's future as the Magpies' manager looks increasingly uncertain because of a serious rift developing with Ashley, and we have heard similar tales from our man inside St James' Park. Apparently Keegan is feeling more and more disillusioned because Ashley is naming new staff members without even consulting the manager.
The Newcastle owner is running the show and that is not how Keegan has worked in the past.
He was Sir John Hall's right-hand man back in 1992 when he took over the reigns as manager, but Ashley has made it perfectly clear who is boss in 2008.
The Mail says Keegan had little, if any, say in the appointment of Chris Hughton as his assistant, and it was much the same when Dennis Wise was brought in as executive director.
Decisions are allegedly being made by chairman Chris Mort with the assistance of former Tottenham director Paul Kelmsley — a close friend of Ashley's.
Kelmsley is thought to have helped bring in Wise, Hughton and two other members of the new hierarchy — Tony Jimenez as vice president (player recruitment) and Jeff Vetere, who joined from Real Madrid as technical co-ordinator.
Keegan knows full well the threat that Dennis Wise poses to his job, particularly as the ex-Leeds boss is mixing with directors and seems to be doing nothing more than waiting in the wings for his chance.
If Keegan does go, and the bookies have today slashed his odds, there will not be a return for Alan Shearer - who refused to take up the number two position under KK.
Keegan was willing to take over as manager before Keegan's appointment, but Ashley snubbed his offer, saying the ex-England skipper "had no experience".
Ashley was quick to sack Sam Allardyce when results and performances took a nose-dive, and he is not going to wait for Keegan to take the club into a relegation dogfight.