Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias is alleged to have criticised Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer in a conversation with supporters.

Yesterday's Sunday Mirror featured a number of colourful comments that Llambias is reported to delivered to fans in a Newcastle bar.

The Magpies chief, who came in for sustained criticism last week after announcing plans to rename St James' Park as the Sports Direct Arena, claimed Keegan was only appointed because Newcastle's owner, Mike Ashley, was attempting to sell the club to a group of Middle-Eastern investors.

"Kevin Keegan can't take pressure," Llambias is alleged to have said. "His ******* head is all over the place. Mike was selling to the Arabs and they wanted Kevin Keegan. The Arabs wanted him, the fans wanted him - perfect."

He was equally scathing of Shearer, who was unable to keep Newcastle in the Premier League after his appointment as caretaker manager at the end of the 2008-09 season.

"Shearer was my choice and I have to hold my hands up - the wrong choice," Llambias is reported to have added. "Shearer, for this, destroys us. He gave all the responsibility to (Iain) Dowie. Rubbish! Shearer? It would never be the right time. There would never be a right time in football."