Newcastle denied media reports that it fired manager Kevin Keegan and said it wants him to remain at the Premier League soccer club.

Keegan, in his second spell in charge of the northeast England team, "raised a number of issues" during talks Monday and Tuesday, Newcastle said in a statement without disclosing details. There's been U.K. media speculation he disagreed with the club hierarchy over player-transfer policy.

While Newcastle said it wants him to stay, it did not expressly say he will remain. Asked whether Keegan will continue, Newcastle spokesman Mark Hannen said he could not make any comment beyond the contents of the statement.

"The club wants to keep progressing with its long-term strategy and would like to stress that Kevin is extremely important, both now and in the future," Newcastle said. "For the avoidance of doubt, the club has not sacked Kevin Keegan as manager."

The team added that it "wants him to continue to play an instrumental role as manager." Keegan wanted to strengthen his squad, yet was told that anyone could be sold at the right price, the Daily Mail reported today. It said his loyalty to Joey Barton was another sticking point with owner Mike Ashley, who wants to get rid of the player who recently was released from prison.

Keegan was also unhappy when Newcastle sold winger James Milner, a regular in the team, to Aston Villa last week after he handed in a transfer request, the Daily Mail reported.

New Players

Newcastle yesterday added Spain Under-21 striker Xisco and acquired Uruguayan midfielder Ignacio Gonzalez on loan to add to the arrivals of Argentine players Jonas Gutierrez and Fabricio Coloccini, and Liverpool midfielder Danny Guthrie.

Keegan returned to Newcastle as coach in January—11 1/2 years after leading the club to runner-up spot in the Premier League. The 57-year-old, who had been without a coaching role since leaving Manchester City in March 2005, replaced Sam Allardyce, who was fired after less than eight months in charge.

Keegan was hailed by the club at the time as "King Kev" but has struggled to revive one of the best-supported clubs in England, which last won a major trophy in 1969. Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League last season and stands 11th in the current campaign, with four points from three games.

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