Kevin Keegan feels Newcastle 'can never go anywhere' with Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias running the club.
Former manager says Magpies 'going nowhere' under owner
Former boss Kevin Keegan feels Newcastle 'can never go anywhere' with Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias running the club.
Keegan walked away from his role with the Magpies in September 2008 because of interference from the board in his transfer dealings.
There was another dramatic managerial departure this week when Chris Hughton was sacked despite leading Newcastle to promotion from the Championship and then into a mid-table position this term.
Alan Pardew has already been appointed on a five-and-a-half-year contract but Keegan fears for the future of the club whilst owner Ashley and managing director Llambias remain in charge.
"Chris Hughton's shock departure has once again demonstrated Newcastle United need some stability, but you will never get stability when you have Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias running the club," he said.
"Ashley has made no secret he wants to sell Newcastle, and the best day will come when someone buys it from him and runs Newcastle like that club should be run. The club can never go anywhere under Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias.
"When a man buys a club like Mike Ashley did, and he knows as little about football as he does, he is likely to make these sort of mistakes and these sort of judgments, and still think he is doing okay."
Meat in the sandwich
When Hughton was removed the club stated that it was in order to bring in someone with more experience, but Keegan is not sure Pardew necessarily fits the bill on that score.
Keegan nevertheless hopes the new man is successful and has called on the supporters not to vent their anger in Pardew's direction.
He added: "Alan is not vastly experienced. He has managed for 17 months in the Premier League.
"But Alan's a good lad. I know him well - he is very dedicated and he works very hard.
"The fans would be wrong to pick on Alan. If results don't go well then they may start to voice discontent but Alan is just the meat in the middle of the sandwich.
"Ashley wants to sell but also wants to make money and in the current financial climate that will be difficult. Newcastle are in a bit of a corner."
