NEWCASTLE, England (AP) -Kevin Keegan resigned Thursday as Newcastle manager, ending his second stint in charge of the Premier League club after only seven months.
Following a 1-1-1 start and after a week of talks with the club's board, Keegan released a statement saying he had ``been left with no choice but to leave.''
Keegan had been retired from coaching at the professional level until the Magpies persuaded him to return last January. But he grew frustrated at his lack of influence over player transactions, losing James Milner to Aston Villa last week and failing to secure several other targets.
``I've been working desperately hard to find a way forward with the directors, but sadly that has not proved possible,'' Keegan 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.''
Managing director Derek Llambias sent Keegan a letter urging him to stay, but the League Managers Association said Keegan still felt undermined and had ``no alternative other than to resign.'' The departure was reminiscent of his 1997 exit, when his five-year tenure ended after a dispute with the board.
``It remains my fervent wish to see Newcastle United do well in the future,'' Keegan said. ``I feel incredibly sorry for the players, staff and most importantly the supporters. I have been left with no choice other than to leave.''
He is the second EPL manager to leave this season. West Ham's Alan Curbishley quit Wednesday after a 2-1 start.
``Over the last few days, the club has devoted itself to the discussions it has held with Kevin and, as a result of those discussions, had put together a set of practical suggestions for how to move forward,'' the team said in a statement. ``Today, the club made it clear to Kevin that if he had any outstanding concerns on its proposals, he should raise them with the club. The club regrets that Kevin has, instead of taking up that offer, chosen to resign.''
