10 Shocking Newcastle United Departures That No One Saw Coming

4. James Milner (Sold To Aston Villa In August 2008)

After returning to Newcastle from Aston Villa on loan, manager Glenn Roeder got the best from James Milner and the midfielder made 32 appearances and scored 3 goals for the Magpies. After starting the new 2008-09 season well, Milner was sold for £12 million after just two games by new manager Kevin Keegan who insisted that it was his decision rather than the board going over his head. Keegan said:

"Obviously James is not a player you would want to sell. "I would like to say though that it was my my decision to sell him. "We got an offer that was good value and if you look into the next two or three days I wouldn't have sold him unless I knew I could move the club forward. "We have a good chance of getting three or four players in before the deadline. "I wish James the best for the future. "It's right for everybody and people shouldn't think anything bad of him, he has done nothing wrong.

Keegan resigned two weeks later and it is unknown whether or not there was more to the transfer than was reported. Some reports stated that it was a key reason why the Newcastle legend quit as manager for the second time.