Keegan Departs, What's Next for the Toon?

Without a trophy in nearing 40 years, times have not been good for Newcastle in recent years. However, with the departure of "Tyneside legend" King Kev, have times ever been this bleak?

The sale of James Milner for £12 million to Aston Villa was confusing for most United fans. Even with the money in the bag and Keegan's words that over the next few days everything would be positive at Newcastle United, didn't everyone have that little niggle in their mind that things wern't quite as they should be?

When Dennis Wise arrived as Director of Football shortly after Keegan's appointment, there was always that feeling; is this what "the Messiah" wants?

September 1st, and Newcastle fans watching their television screens waited for these positive signings that the manager had promised. Xisco from Deportivo ended up being the only signing on that final day, youthful he is but whether positive is debatable.

Keegan's words after leaving, "a player should not be forced upon a manager", Xisco seems to be this player—was Dennis the man who signed him?

With rumours circulating that Keegan was in talks with Roman Pavlyuchenko when this signing occurred, it seems odd to say the least. The tall Russian—now at Spurs with another Eastern European who also rejected Newcastle for the capital, Luka Modric—the question is just how are the board backing the manager?

It is now time to look forward and a new manager is surely just over the horizon. With Alan Shearer surely out of the question after this mess, who would want the job. A brilliant fan base and stadium are the pros—but an average squad, poor board, and three managers in three years are the cons.

Anyone brave enough to take the job is welcome to it.

With Gus Poyet installed as the new favourite and Dennis Wise already there, it may just remind the fans that at least they're still in the Premiership unlike, Leeds. Poyet of course was assistant to Wise at Elland Road, and although his interviews for non-English speaking Juande Ramos are commendable, is he really management material?

With a boycott on the cards for the upcoming Hull fixture, what must the players be thinking? A club in complete turmoil, with Joey Barton's twelve match ban and no manager, can they be the shining light at the club?

Performances will change views and already with a draw against Manchester United they have started well. It's time for them and the new manager to knuckle down and prove to the fans that they can achieve things, and put this dreadful few years behind them.

Whether this will, or even can, occur is questionable—but it is achievable and they have to believe things will change.