Newcastle United held an open training session at St James' Park a month ago and more than 12,000 supporters turned up to watch the first-team squad in the pouring rain. A few days later Kevin Keegan talked about his hopes for the new season. The manager was delighted that everyone at the club was pulling in the same direction and that Newcastle were united.

“We all understand our roles,” Keegan said. “We all understand what each of us brings to the club, and that is a good thing. We are very much united. I am sure if you ask Dennis Wise, Tony Jimenez, Jeff Vetere, Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias, they would say the same, because that is the truth. I do not think we have ever been closer than we are now.”

Three weeks later Keegan has resigned and civil war has broken out on Tyneside. So, what does the future hold for the men who call the shots at St James' Park?

Mike Ashley, owner
Sportswear retailer millionaire who must be wondering why he bothered buying a football club for £137million. Love affair with fans soured quickly, despite his habit of wearing the black-and-white stripes to games and his love of getting his round in at the Blu Bambu nightclub. Denied rumours during the summer that he was preparing to sell the club to Anil Ambani, the sixth-richest man in the world, but fans will be dancing in the streets if he cashes in after bad start to the season.

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Derek Llambias, managing director
Will have to persuade Alan Shearer to replace Keegan if he wants to keep disgruntled fans off his back. Drew up plan to identify summer transfer targets with Wise and Jimenez at the end of last season after Keegan met Ashley to discuss his concerns that Newcastle were “a million miles” away from being title challengers. Known as “Baldrick” because he looks like Tony Robinson. Time for a cunning plan.

Dennis Wise, executive director (football)
The former Chelsea midfield player will need a thick skin if he wants to keep his job. Newcastle fans - and Keegan - were unsettled when Wise was appointed and nothing that the former Leeds United manager has done since January has endeared him to the club's supporters. Lucky for Wise he is based in London because he will need a police escort when he travels to the North East. Will always be remembered by fans as the man who forced Keegan out.

Tony Jimenez, vice-president
Mr Fixit who is close to Wise and will be expected to play a leading role in the search for a new manager. Was involved in Juande Ramos's move from Seville to Tottenham Hotspur last season and was instrumental in persuading Keegan to return to Tyneside in January. Has been scouting and negotiating transfer deals as Newcastle have adopted a continental model of targeting young players who can be sold for profit.

Jeff Vetere, technical co-ordinator
His extensive knowledge of European football has helped the club to buy players such as Fabricio Coloccini, Jonas Gutiérrez, Ignacio González and Xisco. Speaks Italian and Spanish, but the new manager will have to decide whether he is still required at the club.

The second going

Jan 16 2008 Kevin Keegan, who had been running the Soccer Circus attraction in Glasgow, having left Manchester City in 2005, returns as Newcastle manager after 11 years to replace the sacked Sam Allardyce. The 57-year-old later says that he has not watched a live top-flight match for three years.

Jan 29 Mike Ashley, the owner, restructures the club's backroom roles. Dennis Wise is appointed as executive director (football), Tony Jimenez as vice-president (player recruitment) and Jeff Vetere as technical co-ordinator. “I see it as a positive thing, as long as I can get on with my job,” Keegan says.

March 22 With the team slipping down the table, Keegan wins his first league game at the ninth attempt, a 2-0 defeat of Fulham.

April 9 Keegan says that he is “desperate” for Michael Owen to extend his contract.

May 9 Keegan meets Ashley to map out the future, with the owner unhappy at Keegan's claims that the club are “a million miles” away from the “big four”, that he rarely speaks to Ashley and that he has little input in transfers. The talks are described as “productive” and Keegan hints that he could stay at the club beyond his present deal.

May 11 Newcastle finish twelfth. They were eleventh when Keegan took over. He says that he is targeting fifth place in 2008-09.

May 20 Joey Barton is sentenced to six months in prison for assault. Keegan backs the player.

June 14 Ashley implements cost-cutting measures, including pruning the wage bill and forcing the first-team squad to pay for their club suits.

July 19 Keegan says that he is seeking “four quality players” to boost his “small squad”.

Aug 15 After a summer of failing to secure top targets, Fabricio Coloccini signs from Deportivo La Coruña for £10.3million. Keegan says his relationship with Ashley is much improved and that the staff “all understand our roles”. He says that James Milner “won't be leaving here, I'm sure of that”.

Aug 27 Keegan, Ashley, Wise and Derek Llambias, the managing director, meet and discuss the futures of Milner and Owen.

Aug 29 Milner moves to Aston Villa for £12million.

Sept 1 On transfer deadline day the club sign Xisco, the Deportivo forward, and Ignacio González, the Valencia midfield player, on loan.

Sept 2 After meetings with the board, rumours are rife that Keegan has been dismissed, but the club insist he is still manager.

Sept 4 Resigns as manager.

Tried and failed

Since Keegan's departure in 1997, several men have attempted to raise the sleeping giant.

Kenny Dalglish: Jan 1997-Aug 1998 (Played 78, won 30, drew 22, lost 26)

Ruud Gullit: Aug 1998-Aug 1999 (P52, W18, D14, L20)

Sir Bobby Robson: Sept 1999-Aug 2004 (P255, W119, D64, L72)

Graeme Souness: Sept 2004-Feb 2006 (P83, W36, D18, L29)

Glenn Roeder: Feb 2006-May 2007 (P73, W33, D16, L24)

Sam Allardyce: May 2007-Jan 2008 (P24, W8, D6, L10)

Keegan: Jan 2008-Sept 2008 (P21, W6, D6, L9)