Keegan Talks Achieved Nothing
By Tyne-Talk
September 13 2008
Could Kevin Keegan really be in talks to make a 3rd attempt at managing Newcastle United or is all the hype surrounding the latest meeting between Mike Ashley and the former Newcastle manager unsubstantiated? Yesterday Keegan and Ashley were in talks at a London venue, as confirmed by the League Managers Association.
However the situation remains unresolved, and Keegan is unlikely to be paraded before the fans at the Hull match this afternoon.
When Keegan left St James' Park he said:
"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 was right of course, but these issues would have to be completely resolved for him to even consider returning, and realistically for any other manager to fill the vacant post.
Now an inside source has told the press that Ashley was desperate to secure Keegan's services and win back the fans.
"The only way Mike Ashley could show his face safely at St James' is if Kevin Keegan is back in charge of the team. The fans despised Ashley when Kev left and they were ready to show him their feelings in no uncertain terms.
This is really the only solution for Ashley. All the protests, all the security problems - everything disappears if Kev comes back. In fact, Ashley could even go back to standing among the supporters if he pulls this off."
The latter probably wouldn't go down too well and if Ashley thinks that by bringing Keegan back all will be fogotton and he will be forgiven he is sadly mistaken.
The statement given by the LMA wasn't filled with confidence as it confirmed that the meeting was unsuccessful:
"The League Managers Association can confirm that talks to resolve several issues were held today between Kevin Keegan and Mike Ashley of Newcastle United Football Club
However, the discussion failed to reach a satisfactory conclusion."
Unfortunately if Mike Ashley was prepared to back down this situation would never have happened, the chances of him giving full control to Keegan, should he be reinstated, is unlikely and unless the board are given a change of direction the problems would remain with a possibility of this all happening again at Christmas.
Recent events will not change the programme of protests and demonstrations being held around Newcastle today and Mike Ashley is still unlikely to make an appearance at the game this afternoon.
