Keegan 'forced' out
from BBC Sport, 16 February, 2002
Kevin Keegan insists he had "no option" but to resign as Newcastle manager five years ago after being offered a contract ultimatum.
The former Toon idol returns to St James' Park on Sunday with his Manchester City side for a fifth round FA Cup tie.
Keegan is still held in high esteem by the Newcastle fans after his rollercoaster spell in charge from 1992 to 1997.
After returning to the club where he starred as a player, he lifted the Geordies from the depths of the old Second Division to within touching distance of the Premiership title.
But Keegan revealed the manager's job lost its appeal after the club decided to float on the Stock Exchange, prompting his shock decision to quit. "When anybody leaves their job, it's rarely the way you want to leave," he said. "I know it was my choice to leave. I had no option but I was forced into a corner. "When the then chairman Sir John Hall first rang me to bring me back to Newcastle, he said `We are the two people who can save Newcastle'. "
On the last day, he was nowhere to be seen. I felt that was bad. In fact, it was the one bad day I had there. "I was sat in the boardroom with Freddy Shepherd, Freddie Fletcher and Douglas Hall, men I had worked with. "But they said nothing as some finance man floating the club told me
I had to sign a new contract or go. "I said `You don't know me. These people do. Thank you very much - goodbye!' "It was becoming a plc and I felt the focus of the club had changed.
It just wasn't as enjoyable as it was."