Sun 24th May - Villa Park
By Chris Burton Last updated: 6th September 2008
Keegan: Centre of a storm
Newcastle have responded to claims former manager Kevin Keegan endured interference in his role at the club.
Keegan resigned as Magpies boss earlier this week, citing the board's involvement in transfer dealings as the reason behind his exit.
Dennis Wise's executive director (football) role appears to be the most contentious, but Newcastle insist those higher up the managerial ladder did not dictate policy to the man in charge of team affairs.
A statement released by the club read: "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 January 16, 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 January 16, 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 January 16, 2008."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 11th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Shamrock vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 18th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 12:30 | Darlington vs Newcastle |
| Tuesday 21st July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Huddersfield vs Newcastle |
| Sunday 26th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 14:30 | FC Utrecht vs Newcastle |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Newcastle vs Leeds |
| Sunday 2nd August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Dundee Utd vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 17:30 | West Brom vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 17:20 | Newcastle vs Reading |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Newcastle vs Sheff Wed |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Crystal Palace vs Newcastle |
| Monday 31st August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Newcastle vs Leicester |
| Sunday 13th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 14:05 | Cardiff vs Newcastle |
| Wednesday 16th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Blackpool vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Plymouth |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 17:30 | Ipswich vs Newcastle |
| Wednesday 30th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Newcastle vs QPR |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Bristol City |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Monday 11th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 3 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Sunday 3rd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 3 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Monday 27th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Sunday 19th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Tottenham 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 1 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 1 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 1 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Wednesday 4th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 1st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Sunday 22nd February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 0 Everton | |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 2 - 3 Newcastle | |
| Sunday 1st February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 1 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Wednesday 28th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 2 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 3 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Wednesday 14th January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Newcastle 0 - 1 Hull | |
| Saturday 10th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 2 - 2 West Ham | |
| Saturday 3rd January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Hull 0 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Leicester City | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Middlesbrough | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Nottingham Forest | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Peterborough United | 0 | 0 |
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