Keegan future still uncertain

The future of Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan remained uncertain yesterday following a day of speculation that he had been sacked after just eight months in the job.

Richard Bevan, the chief executive of the League Managers' Association (LMA) said that Keegan "was in a difficult position" at St James' Park despite a statement issued by the club on Tuesday evening denying that Keegan had been sacked.

Bevan told BBC Radio: "He is in a difficult position but he has not resigned.

"I spoke to Kevin at length last night and he will be discussing really important issues with the Newcastle board over the next few days."

Many Newcastle fans gathered at St James' Park ground in the city centre after word spread that "King Kev", as Newcastle fans affectionately call him, had either been sacked or had resigned on Tuesday.

However in a statement Newcastle said Keegan was still in charge. Many fans e-mailed news organisations saying they would boycott the club if Keegan, 57, left and called for the board, led by billionaire chairman Mike Ashley to resign. Hastily-made banners carried the same message.

British media headlines were convinced Keegan's tenure as boss was over yesterday.

The Daily Mail said: "Keegan Doomed" while the story made the front page headline in the Daily Mirror which said: "The KKing is Dead". The Independent said: "Keegan hangs by a thread as Newcastle deny "sack" story."

Keegan returned to Newcastle as manager in January, 11 years after his sudden departure from the job in January 1997, and has been in control for 21 matches, winning just six times.