THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEWCASTLE, England — Newcastle said Kevin Keegan was still its manager Tuesday, ending hours of speculation that he had been fired by the Premier League club.
Keegan raised a "number of issues" in meetings with the board on Monday and Tuesday, but remains part of its long-term strategy, Newcastle said in a statement.
"Newcastle United values the effort and commitment shown by Kevin since his return to St. James’ Park and wants him to continue to play an instrumental role as manager of the club," the club said. "For the avoidance of doubt, the club has not sacked Kevin Keegan as manager."
Angry fans gathered outside St. James’ Park and Keegan’s home throughout Tuesday in a bid to save Keegan as British media reported that his second spell in charge at Newcastle was over after only seven months.
Keegan, whose original five-year tenure ended in 1997 after a dispute with the board, reportedly raised concerns about the club’s lack of activity in the transfer market in the meetings.
"Kevin has raised a number of issues and those have been discussed with him," Newcastle said. "The club wants to keep progressing with its long-term strategy and would like to stress that Kevin is extremely important, both now and in the future."
In 1992, just 38 days into his first stint, Keegan had to be talked out of quitting.
Keegan had been retired from coaching at the professional level until the Magpies persuaded him to return last January.