KEVIN KEEGAN faced his Newcastle United bosses in London today knowing there was a lot of straight talking to be done.
Despite what could turn out to be a very interesting meeting with United owner Mike Ashley, vice-president Tony Jimenez, director of football Dennis Wise and chairman Chris Mort, Keegan insisted he will continue to tell it as it is at St James’s Park.
Keegan, of course, has captained and managed his country, his opinions are widely sought after – and he has never been afraid to give them in his typically brutally honest fashion.
Before he headed to London, the United boss told me: “Part of my job as manager of Newcastle is to tell the fans what is happening at their club.
“I will continue to do what I have always done while I have been manager of Newcastle United, Manchester City, Fulham and England. I have not changed in that sense.
“I am not scared of saying what I think the situation is, and I will not depart from that.”
Keegan has been “summoned” by Ashley, and the fact it is the manager who has had to travel to London suggests he could be in a rough ride.
However, I have been told from the Ashley camp that the owner is “quite relaxed” about the meeting.
Certainly Keegan was relaxed about the situation at his press conference at the club’s training ground yesterday lunchtime.
While he could not say too much because he does not know what is going to be said at the meeting, the way Keegan handled things has taken a lot of the heat out of the situation.
One thing is certain – Keegan has no intention of resigning and his plans for pre-season have already been made and are just waiting to be rubber-stamped.
Another meeting will also be taking place in London later today which will have a bearing on United’s short-term future.
For Tony Jimenez will meet Steven Taylor’s new agent Leon Angel to thrash out a new contract for the United central defender.
But it is news of Keegan’s meeting with Ashley which was eagerly-awaited by the United faithful.
There is no doubt the supporters are fully behind their manager and, even though defeat at Everton on Sunday will leave United equalling their lowest ever points tally in the Premier League, expectations are still high for next season because of Keegan.
At the same time, Ashley has been welcomed into the Tyneside fold after buying the club, wiping out the debt and sharing a pint with the fans before and after games.
That’s why those supporters will be disappointed if, after everything has been thrashed out at today’s meeting, it does not end in handshakes all round.
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