End of the line for Keegan.

[mykfin]

Keegan ends his reign at Man City

That's seven or eight times in a year we could have jumped into something good for this club but failed

Keegan after City's 1-0 defeat by Bolton on Monday
Manchester City have confirmed that manager Kevin Keegan has left the club 15 months ahead of his expected departure date.
The 54-year-old goes after three-and-a-half years at City and puts an end to his coaching career.

"We all believe this is in the best interests of the club," said an official club statement.

"His professionalism, infectious enthusiasm and drive for success have benefited all areas of the club."

City coach Stuart Pearce is expected to take temporary charge until a full-time replacement can be appointed.

However, the club do not have a first-team game until 19 March, when they travel to Tottenham, so it is possible Pearce, who has said he wants the job, will not be in charge for a match.

Former England captain Pearce has briefly managed at Nottingham Forest but is inexperienced, while City have already been linked with Celtic boss Martin O'Neill and the former Southampton manager Gordon Strachan.

Keegan, who had previously managed Newcastle, Fulham and England, took over as City manager on 24 May 2001 and guided them to the old Division One title in his first full season.

For the return to the Premiership he put together a squad including Nicolas Anelka and Robbie Fowler, and achieved a finishing position of ninth while qualifying for the Uefa Cup through the Fair Play League.

CITY UNDER KEEGAN
May 02: Win old Div One title with 108 goals
May 03: Finish ninth in Premiership
Nov 03: Knocked out of Uefa Cup by Polish minnows Groclin
Feb 04: 10-man City beat Spurs 4-3 in FA Cup having trailed 3-0
Mar 04: Beat Man Utd 4-1 at Eastlands
Jan 05: Knocked out of FA Cup by Oldham
Mar 05: Parts company with club

Keegan's coaching career

But the following season, 2003-2004, saw them knocked out of the Uefa Cup by Polish minnows Groclin Dyskobolia and also finish fifth from bottom in the Premiership.

That campaign did include a memorable FA Cup victory at Tottenham, when they went 3-0 behind but won 4-3, but it was to be a rare highlight.

The current season has not been much better, with an FA Cup exit to Oldham and a Carling Cup defeat to an Arsenal reserve team.

Keegan made it clear he would not be staying beyond next season but when City lost at home to Bolton on Monday, and slipped to 12th in the table, Keegan sounded at the end of his tether.

"We've got a history of not building on good situations," he admitted.

"We could have jumped into the European shake-up, again we couldn't make that leap.

"That's seven or eight times in a year we could have jumped into something good for this club and we've failed."