Keegan's eventful reign
8:46am Friday 5th September 2008
January 16: The messiah returns as Keegan is appointed manager of Newcastle for the second time, replacing sacked Sam Allardyce.
January 26: Newcastle suffer the first of two 3-0 defeats to Arsenal in the space of a week.
January 29: Dennis Wise joins the club as executive director (football). Keegan claims he was not aware that Wise was joining the club when he agreed to become manager – Wise is immediatley rated as 7-1 to succeed Keegan in the Newcastle hotseat.
March 22: Newcastle finally record their first Premier League win of Keegan’s second spell, beating Fulham 2-0 at St James’ Park.
April 20: Newcastle defeat Sunderland 2-0 in the Tyne-Wear derby.
May 5: Keegan warns the Premier League is becoming ‘boring’ – insisting it will be impossible for Newcastle to challenge the top four.
May 8: Mike Ashley calls a meeting with Keegan’s to discuss his remarks - Keegan emerges vowing to stay on for ‘at least’ the next three years.
May 11: Newcastle end the season in twelfth place, Keegan declares he is targeting a fifth place finish in the Premier League for the upcoming season.
May 20: Joey Barton begins a six month jail sentence for assaulting a teenager in Liverpool – Keegan promises to back the controversial midfielder.
August 15: Newcastle sign Fabricio Coloccini – Keegan hails the signing as heralding a ‘new era’ for the the club.
August 16: Keegan denies James Milner will be sold, declaring: “He’s the last player Newcastle United want to sell – I’m talking about the owner and myself.”
August 18: After recording a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, Keegan declares he hopes to be making a ‘wow’ signing, in line with what Ashley told corporate fans.
August 29: Milner joins Aston Villa for £12m – Keegan now claims he backed the deal.
August 30: Joey Barton returns to playing in a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal, six days before facing an FA hearing.
September 1: Newcastle tie up transfer deadline day deals for Nacho Gonzalez and striker Xisco, amid rumours Joey Barton is being offered for sale against Keegan’s wishes.
September 2: Keegan reportedly clashes with Newcastle’s board over their failure to deliver his transfer targets, bookmakers suspend betting on Dennis Wise to become his successor.
September 4: Keegan resigns as manager of Newcastle United saying he ‘had no choice’ but to leave the club.