10 Biggest Newcastle United Controversies In The Premier League Era

7. Kevin Keegan

History will forever tell us that Keegan's contentious departure from St James' Park in September 2008 was the point at which the Toon tide turned against Mike Ashley. Opposing the management structure imposed by our much-maligned owner - comprised of deputy chairman Derek Llambias, executive director of football Dennis Wise and vice-president of player recruitment Tony Jimenez €“ a hostile Keegan tendered his resignation. In the immediate aftermath KK laid his feelings bare saying: "It's my opinion that a manager must have the right to manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want," alluding to a lack of control over recruitment. Lets not forget it was Wise who saw fit to waste £5.7 million on Xisco whereas Keegan had eyes for Bastian Schweinsteiger. Ashley's stiff-necked loyalty to his trusted associates, Wise in particular, embedded itself under the skin of irate supporters and contributed most to Keegan's decision to walk away rather than remain a subservient stooge at the mercy of the regime. As we know the repercussions were devastating and the corporate structure was disbanded less than a year later.