Keegan at the crossroads

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Anelka 'turns on Keegan'

Manchester City's winless streak stretches to 14 games, the directors' plane catches fire en route from Portsmouth - and now Nicolas Anelka has changed his tune on Kevin Keegan.

Anelka had previously spoken out in support of Keegan after Eyal Berkovic labelled the City boss "a big baby" who "deserves the sack".

But the French striker has apparently given a different view to a newspaper on the other side of the Channel - insisting that his boss has taught him nothing.

All of which makes this week another dramatic installment in the soccer soap opera that is Manchester City.

Throw in the news that goalkeeper David Seaman has retired because of injury, and it comes as no surprise that Keegan admits he is under pressure.

It is all a far cry from the brief stay City enjoyed at the Premiership summit after victory at Blackburn in August - and only underlines the importance of the forthcoming FA Cup third round replay at Leicester City.

But it is in keeping with Keegan's turbulent managerial career, where a stunning start has often been replaced by a disappointing finish.

Keegan's future has replaced that of Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier at the top of the conspiracy theorists' agenda, and with his history of walking away from jobs, it is no surprise.

But Keegan, a decent and dignified football man, seems determined not to give his detractors their pound of flesh by sticking it out at Manchester City.

At least for now.

KEEGAN'S MANAGERIAL CAREER Feb 1992: Appointed Newcastle manager Jan 1997: Resigns from Newcastle Sept 1997: Appointed chief operations officer at Fulham Feb 1999: Appointed part-time England coach May 1999: Appointed full-time England coach Oct 2001: Resigns as England coach May 2001: Appointed Man City manager

Keegan's managerial career has been highlighted by spectacular highs and emotional lows, but has never been lacking in incident.

He took Newcastle from the brink of the old Third Division to a 12-point Premiership lead, but when that was squandered the credits were rolling on his St James' Park career.

Keegan left Newcastle fans in tears when he walked out in January 1997, stating he had taken the club as far as he could.

He was a success at Fulham before being lured by the England job he initially insisted he never wanted - but a poor Euro 2000 preceded another stunning resignation after defeat against Germany in October 2000.

Keegan was back as City boss in May 2001, and instant promotion to the Premiership was followed by a season of consolidation.

But familiar questions are now being asked about Keegan's longevity as City's season stands on the precipice.

The defeat at Portsmouth was Keegan's managerial style in microcosm - spectacular attacking football matched only by even more spectacularly inept defending.

It is an Achilles heel and tactical shortcoming that Keegan has yet to cure.

He has been at pains to quell speculation he is at odds with striker Anelka, a man of a million moods, while the attack from Berkovic says more about the player than it does about the manager.

Anelka is right behind Keegan...or is he?

But Keegan's recent forays into the transfer market have been debatable to say the least.

The signing of Seaman was a gamble, and one that has failed as form and fitness have deserted the former Arsenal and England veteran.

Keegan has now turned to England and West Ham keeper David James.

Steve McManaman was brought back from Real Madrid, but has been a desperate disappointment and appears to have left his serious footballing influence behind in Spain.

McManaman was re-united with his old Liverpool sparring partner Robbie Fowler, the one-time "Spice Boys" of Anfield, but the only headlines the pair have made in partnership were of the lurid kind for an off-field escapade.

Fowler has shown signs of twitching back into life recently, but not enough to totally banish doubts about his long-term worth.

And with questions still surrounding Anelka, who has taken to not celebrating goals and talking fondly of a return to Real Madrid, the pot has been boiling behind the scenes in the new City of Manchester Stadium.

Keegan has not been aided by the lame Uefa Cup exit against Polish unknowns Groclin, which closed off a lucrative avenue for the cash-strapped club.

Anyone with a feeling for football will hope that Keegan, with his honesty and attacking principles, will come good.

Keegan deserves success far more than he deserves to be called a quitter.

But there can be no question that Keegan is approaching the phase of the season that might make or break his Manchester City career.