DENNIS WISE has no intention of stepping into Kevin Keegan’s shoes as Newcastle United manager, although the club’s executive director will play a pivotal role in naming his successor.

Sources close to the former Chelsea captain claim he has earmarked former Stamford Bridge favourite Gianfranco Zola as a possible first team coach, with ex-Blues boss Avram Grant under consideration to make a quick return to the Premier League as manager.

Gustavo Poyet and Real Zaragoza coach Marcelino Garcia Toral are also in contention, although no one will ease the pain being felt by the angry Newcastle supporters that gathered outside St James’ Park last night.

After three days of seemingly pointless meetings aimed at resolving major disagreements between Keegan and the Magpies’ recruitment team, the 57-year-old finally brought an end to his second spell in charge on Tyneside shortly before 7pm last night.

Despite hoping that an agreement could be reached, the former England manager stuck to his principles and confirmed his resignation after receiving a letter from managing director Derek Llambias.

The letter is thought to have been a response to Keegan’s demands to have control of first team transfers (in and out), contracts and the removal of both Wise and vicepresident (recruitment) Tony Jimenez.

Newcastle claimed last night that everything was done to try to keep Keegan at the club, although the fans’ favourite felt he was left with little choice but to quit for the second time in 11 years.

The contract situation and pay-off details are now in the hands of lawyers and his exit is unlikely to signal the end of the matter, with both parties far from reaching an agreement.

“I have been working desperately hard to find a way forward with the directors, but sadly that has not proved possible,” said Keegan.

“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.”

It has been suggested that certain players were reduced to tears after learning the news, but Keegan felt his position had been undermined on too many occasions.

While the club’s billionaire owner, Mike Ashley, was on business in the United States, discussions took place in Manchester aimed at reaching an agreement and diffusing the embarrassing situation.

But, despite claims that he would owe Ashley £2m by quitting, Keegan eventually decided enough was enough after a saga that came to a head following Monday’s midnight transfer deadline.

And last night’s official club statement read: “Newcastle United Football Club is sad and disappointed that Kevin Keegan has resigned. Over the last few days the club has devoted itself to the discussions it has held with Kevin and as a result of those discussions had put together a set of practical suggestions for how to move forward.

“Today the club made it clear to Kevin that if he had any outstanding concerns on its proposals, he should raise them with the club. The club regrets that Kevin has, instead of taking up that offer, chosen to resign.”

It has emerged that after being told James Milner was going to be sold to Aston Villa a week ago for £12m, Keegan was assured he would have four new players in his squad before the closure of the window.

But none of those players – believed to have been Bastien Schweinsteiger, Stephen Warnock, Oliver Kapo and Sami Hyypia – were secured.

Instead, after informing Wise that he would have preferred new players in other positions, Keegan was told the only two new faces he would be able to work with were La Liga imports Xisco and Ignacio Gonzalez.

And the situation deteriorated further when Keegan learned that Barton was bracing himself for a last-minute move to Portsmouth. The Newcastle manager then rowed with Wise, Jimenez and Llambias, which has ultimately led to his exit.

Now Wise, instructed by Ashley and Llambias, will help try to sell a club in turmoil to managerial candidates before the visit of Hull City a week tomorrow.

Given the way Keegan has been treated it is difficult to imagine Keegan’s close friend and ally, Terry McDermott, remaining on the backroom team, while Chris Hughton – an Ashley appointment – will almost certainly stay.

The mess that has engulfed Newcastle has led to former manager Glenn Roeder, who was sacked during Freddy Shepherd’s days as chairman, claiming that Newcastle has once again failed to live up to its name as a top club.

“The club is a tragedy and it goes from one disaster to another,”

said Roeder.

“There’s no stability at the club and I don’t think there has been for a long time.

“They go from one manager to another and the people who suffer the most are the most important people, the supporters.

“When they talk about Newcastle being a great club, it’s only great for one reason – because it has great supporters.”

Hundreds of those supporters carried out angry protests outside St James’ Park last night and they are likely to continue for weeks to come, as Ashley and Wise begin the process of trying to fill the job that has become the proverbial poisoned chalice.

THE STATEMENTS

KEVIN KEEGAN:

‘‘I have 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.’’

NEWCASTLE UNITED:

‘‘Newcastle United Football Club is sad and disappointed that Kevin Keegan has resigned. Over the last few days, the club has devoted itself to the discussions it has held with Kevin and as a result of those discussions, had put together a set of practical suggestions for how to move forward.

‘‘Today, the club made it clear to Kevin that if he had any outstanding concerns on its proposals, he should raise them with the club. The club regrets that Kevin has, instead of taking up that offer, chosen to resign.’’