NEWCASTLE // Kevin Keegan has resigned as manager of Newcastle United, ending his second stint in charge of the Premier League club after only seven months. Keegan said in a statement today that he "had been left with no choice". The former Fulham and England boss had retired from coaching until the Magpies persuaded him to return last January. But he grew frustrated at his lack of influence over transfers, losing James Milner to Aston Villa last week and failing to secure several other targets.
Keegan's five-year tenure ended in 1997 after a dispute with the board and six managers followed before he returned to replace the former Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce. *AP
