Kevin Keegan resigned as manager of Newcastle United this evening, less than eight months after taking charge of the Premier League club for the second time.

In a statement issued through the League Managers Association (LMA), Keegan said he had been left with "no choice" other than to leave because of the way the club was being run.
 
Keegan (57) who returned to Newcastle as manager in January, 11 years after his sudden departure from the job in 1997, was in charge for 21 competitive matches, winning just six.
 
Keegan's future had been under the spotlight since Tuesday when the club issued a statement saying he had not been sacked.

The former Engalnd international who is a legend to Toon supporters had been in talks with the club's board over what he felt was a consistent undermining of his position by giving control of transfer policy to director of football Dennis Wise.
 
Today he received a letter from the club's managing director Derek Llambias which failed to resolve any of the issues, the LMA said in a statement.    
 
"I've been working desperately to find a way forward with the directors, but sadly that has not proved possible,'' Keegan said in the LMA statement.
 
"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.    
 
"It remains my fervent wish to see Newcastle United do well in the future and I feel incredibly sorry for the players, staff and most importantly the supporters. I have been left with no choice other than to leave.''

Keegan's departure could lead to a revolt by fans and players against owner Mike Ashley, a former crowd favourite said tonight.

John Anderson, a defender who played for Newcastle United alongside Keegan in the mid-1980s, said tonight: "Quite possibly there could be a boycott by the fans because they hold Kevin dear to their hearts.

"He was one of them, he always kept them informed, and always told the truth. It's going to be very interesting to see what the crowd is next Saturday when they play Hull."

Anderson, who played more than 300 games for the club and is now a match summariser for BBC Radio Newcastle, said the coach was popular with his players.

"I can imagine they will be gutted ... There could be a player revolt.

"He always stuck up for his players and that is why they loved playing for him."

The pundit said there would be trouble if Wise was named as Keegan's successor.

"He would be a very brave man to appoint Dennis Wise as manager. If he became manager, I don't think the crowd would be 20,000 next week," Anderson said.