Outspoken Keegan survives showdown meeting with Newcastle owner

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan survived a showdown meeting with club owner Mike Ashley on Friday and pledged he would continue to speak his mind over the team's chances of winning titles.

After last weekend's 2-0 loss at home to Chelsea, Keegan said Newcastle couldn't compete in the transfer market with the traditional top four -Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool - and that the title race had become predictable.

Ashley called a meeting with Keegan and chairman Chris Mort, and the manager said his comments had been taken out of context. But Keegan said he wouldn't stop talking about how difficult it was to keep up with clubs who have dominated English soccer for 16 years.

"Part of my job as manager of Newcastle United is to tell fans what's happening at their club," Keegan said. "Part of the media's job is to report it correctly and keep it in context and not go off on tangents.

"I will continue to do what I have always done while I have been manager of Newcastle United, and at Manchester City and at Fulham and with England. I haven't changed. I am not scared of saying what I think the situation is, and I won't change that." Newcastle, which had gone seven games unbeaten before that loss to Chelsea, goes to Everton on the final day of the season on Sunday.

Everton lies fifth in the standings, which would mean a UEFA Cup spot next season and that's what Keegan is chasing next term.

"That's our main target next year and that's a very good target to set ourselves from where we are at the moment," said Keegan, whose team looks certain to finish 12th this time.

Sapa-AP