• Is Kevin Keegan right to walk? Vote here

Keegan said:

"I’ve been working desperately hard to find a way forward with the directors, but sadly that has not proved possible."

"It’s my opinion that a manager must have the right to manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any player that he does not want. "

"It remains my fervent wish to see Newcastle United do well in the future and I feel incredibly sorry for the players, staff and most importantly the supporters. I have been left with no choice other than to leave."

No comment has yet been made by Newcastle United.

Speculation will now be rife as to who will follow KK into the St James' Park hotseat with Dennis Wise thought to be one of the leading candidates.