King Kev?

Gloomy times in Newcastle at the moment. The man who relinquished his post at Fulham, resigned from his job at Manchester City, and walked out on England has now resigned as manager of Newcastle. For the second time.

Yesterday, thousands of Newcastle fans decided to skip a day of work to stand outside St James' Park battling the torrential rain to protest Kevin Keegan's decision to leave Newcastle after citing that he was unable to work with club's owners. Keegan was effectively reduced the position of coach, and was not consulted when new faces were brought into the football club. Unsuprisingly, given his erratic history he walked out on the club.

Should Newcastle fans be dissapointed? Yes, they should be outraged by the fact that the club's owner, Mike Ashley is apparently deciding who comes and goes at St James' Park. This should be the task of the manager. But they should not be so disheartened by Keegan's exit. Is he really the Messiah Newcastle fans believe him to be? Is he even a good football manager? No he isn't. Newcastle fans should remember this is the same man who left Newcastle all those years ago, without any hint of explanation or apology. This is the man who who led Newcastle to victory in barely a third of games during his second spell at the club. Neither is Keegan a good tactician. He makes every decision with his heart. Yes he is endearing, one of the reasons Geordies warm to him so much, but he annot be relied upon to make good decisions. The fact that he protested at the board's willingless to get rid of Joey Barton emphasises this point. Barton should have gone - he can only add to Newcastle's woes. And Newcastle fans should remember that Keegan has never won a major trophy as a manager.

The statements Keegan made on leaving were disrespectful to the new players who joined the club on transfer deadline day. Keegan mocked them as he plotted his exit - God knows how they feel at this moment. It is also worth noting that the players who were brought in have performed magnificently in the opening games of the Premiership. Gutierrez and Collocini in particular have looked like great signings.

It is time for the board at Newcastle to enforce stability and lead from the top. It is time for Mike Ashley to stop wearing his XXL Newcastle shirt during mtches whilst downing lager and mingling with the fans. He is the man who now has to set an example and instill leadership at a club that quite frankly is the worst run in the Premier League. Keegan should not have been appointed in the first instance. It was a very bad decision. It is now time for Newcastle to refocus, and rebuild solid foundations at a club that needs them, particuarly in these turbulent economic times.

Newcastle United needs stability. Keegan is not the man to provide it.