The majority of Newcastle fans think that it is Ashley’s fault that Keegan has left, because of the lack of control over transfers. There has been very little action by the Magpies in the transfer window over the summer; it is believed that Keegan was given very little power, and that Dennis Wise and Mike Ashley oversaw every move that Keegan made.
Reportedly Ashley and the board wanted to sell Joey Barton over the summer, however this was opposed by Keegan, who eventually got his way, and this created extra unneeded tensions between the various factions within the club.
Keegan’s and the board’s deteriorating relationship has become more clear during the end of last season and throughout the summer break; in May, Keegan implied that he did not think Ashley’s targets for Newcastle were realistic by saying “Maybe the owner thinks we can bridge that gap – but we can’t.”
Alan Shearer and Dennis Wise are being linked as possible replacements for Keegan; if Ashley manages to get Shearer in as manager then his ‘man of the people’ status will be restored; but bringing in Wise would be a foolish move, as the Toon army, already suspicious of the former Chelsea player, will be even more aggrieved with Ashley.
