Keegan Wanted German Star But Wise Xisco!

The club insisted they had NOT sacked Keegan, because that would cost them a multimillion pay-off. But they confirmed holding meetings to discuss several "issues" their manager had raised.

Keegan´s list of transfer targets ended up in the bin, as transfer operators Tony Jiminez and Jeff Vetere, allegedly started making the big decisions.

Keegan rejected a plan to sell key players from an already depleted squad on deadline day.

He also wanted Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger as a replacement for James Milner. But the club failed to deliver ... and instead Wise oversaw the signing of a striker, Xisco, whom Keegan had never seen play.

Ashley and Wise wanted to cut costs by selling their three biggest earners, Owen, Barton and Smith, who together bank £11million a year.