Keegan Walks?

Reports coming from sources inside Newcastle United suggest that Kevin Keegan has left the club. This represents a change in fortune for the club who were starting to improve since Keegan came back for a second spell in charge in January. I'm thinking there aren't going to be many happy Geordie fans especially following the enthusiasm shown when Keegan was appointed.

Despite losing I think it was six out of his first eight games, King Kev performed well with the players at his disposal and made a late charge that kept Newcastle safe from relegation and it looked as though Keegan could build a platform over the summer that he could use to push Newcastle further up the table and towards European places. Of course there were signs of tension between the owner, Mike Ashley, and Kevin when the latter did his most not to get expectations too high when asked about prospects for this coming season. Keegan gave the reason as lack of money and, taking into account the clubs transfer policy coming from the boardroom, it seems the parting of ways has come down to Keegan not being happy with the lack of control he has over what players are brought in.

It seemed like a good piece of business last week when James Milner was allowed to leave for Aston Villa for the reasonable fee of around £12m. Newcastle fans could be happy come the end of the transfer window if this money was invested wisely and cheaper players of a similar quality were brought in. Certainly Keeegan's two Argentinian signings of the summer, Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez, looked promising. Coloccini provided stability and reassurance to a Newcastle defence which conceded 65 goals last term which was the third highest (Derby and Reading held the top spots and were subsequently relegated), and Gutierrez provided attacking flair and looks to have been one of the most exciting additions to the Premier League this season. However, with only the relatively unknown Spanish striker Xisco and Uruguayan midfielder Ignacio Gonzalez coming in on transfer deadline day (Gonzalez on loan for a season and Xisco having spent last season in the Spanish Second Division), it seems that Keegan's split is due to tension between himself and owner Mike Ashley.

Keegan met Ashley and Director of Football Dennis Wise earlier last week to discuss how the club were proceeding in the transfer market and with contract matters. Speculation since has suggested they were not in complete agreement, even though Keegan swiftly denied this. There has also been suggestions of a clash over the future of Joey Barton (who in my honest opinion doesn't deserve any more chances) with Keegan standing by him '100%'. No matter what the cause though it appears as though King Kev has had enough and decided to leave. For a man who loves the club so much you can only feel he has done this as a last resort.

Welcome to the rain Robinho

Well, this is my first post and it seems fitting to start with the close of the transfer window. I think most people could have guessed that Man Utd would complete the signing of Berbatov from Tottenham, but in one of the surprise moves Robinho has decided to swap sunny Spain for the rain of Manchester too, albeit the blue side. Lets hope for the sake of football he doesn't suffer the culture shock numerous other foreigners have encountered when moving to good old Blighty. If I was to guess as to where Robinho would be playing his football this season I would've said Chelsea or, even though both parties fell out, Real Madrid, as Robinho openly said in a press conference

"I want to leave Real and play for Chelsea.

"I am only thinking of Chelsea and want to play there"

Yet in the end it turns out he really wasn't happy in Spain anymore and took whichever offer came along. Personally I think Robinho would have been right at home at Stamford Bridge under the tutelage of Big Phil Scolari and would have fitted in and complemented their new exciting style. However, I don't think he's made a mistake by any means, if indeed he had to choose between Chelsea/staying at Real and Man City. He obviously wanted out and now with a fresh start he can be the leading star in a team rather than one of many like he would have been at Chelsea or he was at Real Madrid.

This is only good news for Man City too. Pretty much after instantly receiving major financial backing through their takeover they have signalled their intent by signing one of the worlds most gifted footballers and Robinho's star attraction will only benefit the club as they look to move up a notch in the transfer ladder. Indeed this is also highlighted by the fact that they have outdone fierce rivals in now holding the British Transfer Record at £32.5m with this purchase, eclipsing what Man Utd paid for Juan Sebastian Veron (£28.5m), and in fact what they paid for Berbatov (£30.75m).

Two months ago i could have been writing this post about Ronaldinho as I'm sure you'll remember Manchester City were credited with launching an audacious bid for the ex-Barcelona star. He decided to move to Milan who, like Man City, are also in the Uefa Cup this term. Man City though have now found themselves better off. While some scoffed and laughed at their attempt to temp 30 year old party-going Ronaldinho to Manchester they have now found themselves with a 24 year old Brazilian who undoubtedly has his best footballing years ahead of him in terms of improvement. This says a lot about a player who won a league title and Player of the Year with Santos when he was just 20. Lets just hope the brilliant British weather doesn't affect his potential.