Keegan resigns from Newcastle

Kevin Keegan has resigned as Newcastle United manager, the League Managers Association have confirmed.

The news ends three days of intense speculation at St James' Park with Keegan's relationship with the club's hierarchy understood to have broken down irreparably over the club's transfer policy.

Related articles

• Ashley: 'I stand with the fans because that's what I've always done'
• Newcastle City Council backs Keegan
• Newcastle players may revolt if Keegan is forced to go
• Keegan out of Newcastle's revolving door again
• Search the news archive for more stories

Keegan, who returned to the club for a second spell in charge in January, had not taken training since the transfer window closed.

Keegan, in a statement released by the LMA, said: "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."

Newcastle responded to reports suggesting Keegan had left the club on Tuesday with a statement claiming both parties were in discussions over a "number of issues".

Tonight's statement from the LMA confirmed Keegan had been in detailed talks with the club.

But, on receiving a letter from managing director Derek Llambias, Keegan decided there had been no satisfactory resolution to the dispute.

LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said: "The LMA has been supporting Kevin during a very difficult period.

"We share his great disappointment and frustration that the situation could not be resolved."

Keegan claimed last week the sale of James Milner to Aston Villa was his decision but it is thought the club were prepared to sell other players behind his back.

Matters are understood to have come to a head on transfer deadline day on Monday, when stories circulated that Michael Owen and Joey Barton were available for sale.