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Magpies begin life without Keegan

05/09/2008

Newcastle United have today begun the search for Kevin Keegan's replacement after the Toon hero walked out of the club last night.

Keegan ended days of speculation by confirming his resignation on Thursday, citing a lack of control over transfer policy.

The bookies' favourite for the job is Tottenham Hotspur assistant Gustavo Poyet, with David Moyes, Didier Deschamps and Alan Shearer also in the frame.

A major stumbling block for any manager accepting the poisoned chalice at St James' Park is the presence of Dennis Wise as director of football.

Poyet and Deschamps are both former Chelsea team-mates of Wise, whose interfering pushed Keegan into leaving the club he rejoined in January.

Moyes is yet to sign a new contract at Everton, but after struggling with a slim transfer budget at Goodison Park is unlikely to find the current situation in the north-east appealing.

Newcastle have had six managers since Bobby Robson was sacked in 2004, with Mike Ashley, who took over the club last summer, already on his third boss.

Fan protests have taken place sporadically outside St James' Park since rumours of Keegan leaving first emerged, while supporters have threatened to boycott the club's next home Premier League game.