The Times: "Perceived humiliation over the club's transfer policy appears to have made the manager's position untenable and, although Newcastle have again insisted that he remains in charge, the timing of his departure seems to be simply a matter for the lawyers to dispute.
"After farcical scenes that included bewildered fans demonstrating over the "sacking" of their hero, it is hard to believe that Keegan will stay for long — or want to — given his repeated clashes with the board. His departure could be confirmed today.
"The former England manager has been so impotent in recent days that, having angrily questioned the proposed sale of Joey Barton on Monday, it is believed he was told that every member of the first-team squad could be sold, irrespective of his opinion.
"The directors have pushed their manager to the brink by dictating the buying and selling of players, but, bizarrely, they seem happy for him to continue for the time being.
"Perhaps they want to avoid more trouble from supporters who are in revolt over Mike Ashley's stewardship. The crowd of 47,711 for the opening home Barclays Premier League match of the season, against Bolton Wanderers, was the lowest in more than a decade and there is talk of a boycott of the next fixture, against Hull City on Saturday week."