On 1 September 2008 there were widespread media reports that Kevin Keegan had resigned from the club or had been sacked. While these reports were revealed to be premature, Keegan did tender his resignation on 4 September, citing fury over a lack of control over transfers and interference from the board, reflecting upon the sale of James Milner and the arrival of Xisco, a player he claimed to have known nothing about.[9] Many Newcastle fans were incredibly angry at the perceived mistreatment of Keegan.[10] In addition to owner Mike Ashley, public anger was directed at Executive Director Dennis Wise, vice-chairman Tony Jimenz and Chairman Derek Llambias, who were seen to have forced Keegan out of the club.
Shortly after Keegan's departure, the League Managers Association warned Newcastle United F.C. to develop a structure which would satisfy the next manager to avoid a similar situation occuring again. [11] They also reported that Keegan would consider a return to the club should they develop a structure he would be happy with. [12] In December 2008, following reports that Ashley was set to end his bid to sell United, it was reported that Keegan was to sue Mike Ashley for breach of contract during his time at the club. [13]
Assistant manager Chris Hughton took over as caretaker manager for several weeks, during which they were eliminated from the League Cup at the hands of Tottenham and lost all their league matches. On September 26, 2008 he was replaced by Joe Kinnear as "interim manager". Kinnear's appointment proved completely unimpressive with the fans, and resulted in Kinnear profusely verbally abusing and swearing at the media upon his first media interview.[14] He then announced he would not speak to any national press from there onwards and would only speak with the local media. In his first two matches in charge Newcastle managed 2–2 draws with Everton and Manchester City, coming from behind both times (the latter with ten men).
Amongst ongoing criticism of the club board following Kevin Keegan's departure, Joe Kinnear managed 5 wins, 10 draws, and 11 losses, and talks opened between Joe Kinnear and the board as to whether he would consider a full time position the following season. However, on the 7th February 2009, the club's torrid season took another major blow when Kinnear was admitted to hospital following heart problems, and Chris Hughton once again took charge of the team, this time with the help of Colin Calderwood. By the end of March, the club was struggling to find form and keep pace with the opposition. With scarce wins over the course of the season, the team now faced a relegation battle. Keeping to his decision not to rush Kinnear back into his role too shortly after his surgery, Mike Ashley brought in club icon Alan Shearer to take over from Kinnear as the club's interim-manager on the 1st April. As Shearer's appointment was announced, Dennis Wise resigned as Director of Football and the club announced there were no plans to replace him in the role. Shearer hired Iain Dowie as his assistant coach and began his reign as caretaker manager facing Chelsea at St.James Park, which Newcastle lost 2-0, and then went on to draw 1-1 away to Stoke City. After losing 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur F.C at White Hart Lane and drawing at home 0-0 with Portsmouth on the 27th April 2009, the club was plunged even deeper into the tight relegation fight. The ignominious 3-0 loss to title-chasing Liverpool at Anfield on 3 May, with Joey Barton being sent off on 77 minutes for a dangerous tackle, left the club in a perilous position only one place above the bottom of the league. Shearer recorded his first victory as manager of United on the 11th of May 2009 against fellow strugglers Middlesbrough, beating them 3-1, lifting the club out of the relegation drop-zone to 17th place on goal difference with Hull City F.C. The club however then lost to Fulham F.C 1-0 at St. James Park, placing them back in the relegation zone with just one game remaining for the season against Aston Villa. This left the club needing preferably 3 points from the remaining game, coupled with Hull City F.C and/or Sunderland F.C seeing a slump in their form, in order to avoid relegation. Despite Sunderland, Hull and Middlesbrough all losing their matches, Newcastle United were relegated to the championship for the first time since 1993 after a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
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