Kevin Keegan remains manager of Newcastle United this evening but speculation surrounding his future continues and the lack of certainty has Toon fans crying out for answers.

Keegan has avoided becoming the first managerial casualty of the new season after Alan Curbishley walked out on West Ham United, but bookmakers are confident that Keegan will be the next Premier League boss to go.

Earlier today League Managers' Association (LMA) chief executive Richard Bevan insisted Keegan had not resigned but admitted the former Newcastle player was "in a difficult position".

The football rumour mill went into overdrive yesterday with reports circling that he had walked out on the club for the second time following a row with club officials over transfer policy.

These rumours were later replaced with whisperings that the 57-year-old had been sacked by the Newcastle board after less than eight months in charge of the club.

But Newcastle released a statement last night denying that Keegan, who first managed the club in the 1990s, had been dismissed.

Mr Bevan conceded Keegan's position was unclear and said discussions were continuing.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It is not ideal having to speak to you on managers' positions so early in the season but I was speaking to Kevin Keegan at length last night.

"He has not resigned. He is in a difficult position - he'll be discussing really important issues with the Newcastle board over the next few days.

"The football club and fans ... are massively important to Kevin - and after such heavy coverage and speculation yesterday, it was important to make this statement that he has not resigned.

"I'm just saying he has not resigned, he will be working hard to communicate with the Newcastle board and we'll have to wait and see what the outcome is over the next few days."

Asked whether the possible sale of striker Michael Owen was behind the situation, Bevan said: "I can't confirm that either way."

Mr Bevan said he was not negotiating a compensation package for Keegan, but when asked if the LMA expected to do so over the coming days, he replied: "Let's not prejudge that."

Newcastle supporters clogged up fan websites today to vent their fury about the situation. They complained they were being left in the dark, with the majority pointing the finger at the Newcastle board.

One fan wrote: "We really need stability and KK is the only manager at this moment in time who can get us going the right way and if Ashley is not letting him do his job, then he needs to go, not KK."