This has appeared on the NUFC website:
Official NUFC Statement: September 6
NUFC wished, at all times, to keep any dispute that it had with Kevin Keegan private.
It is therefore disappointing that information has reached the media through unnamed sources and a briefing has been given by the League Managers Association that could give rise to a misleading impression amongst the Club's fans.
Newcastle United have no desire to engage in a war of words but inaccurate reporting of factual matters and inaccurate allegations have to be corrected.
It is a fact that Kevin Keegan, on appointment on 16th January 2008, agreed to report to a Director of Football and to the Board.
It is a fact that Kevin Keegan worked within that structure from 16th January 2008 until his resignation.
It is a fact that Kevin Keegan, as manager, had specific duties in that he was responsible for the training, coaching, selection and motivation of the Team.
It is a fact that Kevin Keegan was allowed to manage his specific duties without any interference from any Board member.
It is a fact that Kevin Keegan agreed only to deal with the media in relation to Club matters relating to the Team and not to communicate with the media in relation to the acquisition or disposal of players.
It is a fact that NUFC is a business and operates, like all businesses, with financial constraints.
It is a fact that NUFC's financial constraints inform its transfer dealings.
The Board of NUFC have responsibility to ensure that the club is able to meet its commitments which include the wages and the transfer fees for players.
The structure at NUFC is clear, and has been clear from 16th January 2008.
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Comments
Me thinks the board doth protest too much............?
Exactly and statements like that will only fuel the flames. Bad move, however factualy true it maybe.
How can he do that if someone else is choosing the squad?
Wise / Ashley / Keegan dim wits...
Of course they are right. Of course Keegan signed up to all of that. However the Geordies won't see it that way.
It's just a shame, IMO, that football has gone down this route.
Interesting quotes on SSN from Ahley and Wise from September and February both saying Keegan was the man with the final say so they are at least guilty of misleading the fans. As for Keegan too high a regard of his own limited abilities. People probably don't remember that he had trouble breaking into the England team and did a runner and had to be persuaded to come back and play
Plus how can Dennis Wise be Director of football??? Barely has the experience. I hope Newcastle crash and burn
Until they win something...
It might be that Keegan signed up for all of the above, but obviously didn't understand what it meant in practice. The continental system of having a footballing director and a head coach makes some sense, but there has to be a meaningful dialogue between them and I can't see how having Dennis Wise based in London and Keegan based in Newcastle was going to work. The club are partly at fault, not for splitting the responsibilities but basing the two people so far apart that there couldn't be any effective communication.
Fatih Terim ?
He's one of the most respected coaches in world football. Has managed in Italy with AC Milan and Fiorentina before Turkey.
I seem to remember reading (it may have been in his book) that Curbs went to the Board and threatened to resign over the sale of Parker during the summer window prior to him going and for whatever reason, he stayed. I suspect he dug his heels in during the winter window but in the end it was clear he wanted to go. I also believe his view about Murphy was to keep him in the reserves rather than selling, yet sell him they did. I suspect that in the end Murray persuaded Curbs to accept the inevitable. Keegan is a proud guy with a very sensitive nature and I suspect he just wasn't prepared to listen to the Board/Wise regarding the offers that came in on players, dug his heels in and they just overruled him.