Kevin Keegan: Mike Ashley runs Newcastle United from 'another planet' - former manager urges owner to sell

Former Toon boss attacks Ashley's chairmanship as crisis club go into final day drama

Samuel Stevens
Sunday 24 May 2015 14:15 BST
Comments
(Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Former Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan has accused Mike Ashley of running the club 'from another planet' ahead of their crucial final day match with West Ham.

John Carver's side need to match Hull City's result, against Manchester United, if they are to preserve their Premier League status after a disastrous slump in form.

Keegan was famed for adopting an attacking brand of football during his first spell as Toon manager from 1992-97 and his Magpies side were narrowly pipped to the Premier League title by Manchester United in 1996.

"It is almost as if Mike Ashley has said, 'what is the worst I can do?" he told BBC Sport.

Newcastle remain £129m in debt to owner Mike Ashley

"It will be a nerve-jangling day and their fans don't deserve it. I hope and pray they get a result against West Ham and then something good happens, with Mike Ashley selling because he doesn't understand the club.

"It is not difficult to work out unless you come from another planet and I think Mike Ashley runs that club from another planet.

"Fans are being treated with such disrespect. It is almost as if Mike Ashley has said, 'what is the worst I can do, change St James's Park and call it Sports Direct'. Incredible. Fans don't want to go to games, they want to protest.

Newcastle boss John Carver
Newcastle boss John Carver (Getty Images)

"The answer is not to boycott the game, but to get through the season, stay up, hope and pray someone with lot of money who cares about the club comes along and says, 'that's for me'.

"They need to sit down with sensible people, not those that Mike Ashley put around him in the past. I had the misfortune to work with some of them.

"It is not just me urging him to go, everybody connected with that club, even people employed there. It is time for a change."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in