I’ll not walk if Toon go down

Mar 9 2008 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

KEVIN KEEGAN last night hinted he will stay on as Newcastle manager even if the Magpies are relegated.

A torrid start to his second spell in charge at St James’s Park has plunged United into a survival battle and prompted some to speculate on Keegan’s future.

And dropping into the Championship would see that speculation reach fever pitch.

But Keegan is dismissive of suggestions that either he or Newcastle can trigger a release clause in his contract should the club go down.

“There are no clauses that I can go if either side is unhappy,” the United boss insisted last night.

“There are no problems there. I am happy with the relationships I have forged with the key people at the club, definitely.

“You won’t get too many gaps between us.”

Not that Keegan is dwelling on the nightmare prospect of dropping out of the Premier League.

“At this stage I wouldn’t talk about things not going our way. I think it’s crazy to do that,” he added.

“There are eight Premier League games left. We have 24 points left to fight for.”

Meanwhile, Keegan has dismissed talk that he is unhappy with the quality of the squad with which he is fighting to keep Newcastle up.

Having succeeded Sam Allardyce in the United hotseat in January, he failed to make any major signings before the close of the transfer window.

“I don’t know where the quote came from that my one regret was that I am stuck with this squad. I didn’t say that,” said Keegan.

“I said my one regret is that I have not been able to add to this squad. That is a big difference.”