Kevin Keegan to sue Newcastle for £9million

Kevin Keegan is taking Newcastle United to a jobs tribunal claiming £9million after allegedly being forced out as manager of the club.

If successful, the Toon idols pay-off would be one of the biggest in British football history dwarfing the £7.5million axed Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is expected to pocket.

Newcastle sources suggested Keegan, 57, is prepared to go all the way to a bitter showdown at a full employment tribunal with Uniteds owner Mike Ashley.

The England legend believes he is entitled to a full settlement of his s3million-a-year deal, which still had three years to run.

He will sue for constructive dismissal and s9million in compensation because he did not have full control over the clubs transfers, despite assurances he says were given to him by billionaire Ashley when he joined.

Keegan, dubbed the Messiah by fans, was hailed as the clubs saviour on his return as manager in January last year after Sam Allardyce was sacked. But his ill-fated comeback lasted just eight months and angry supporters demonstrated at St James Park when he resigned

Sources said he walked out in disgust after stars including Michael Owen were offered for sale behind his back.

More embarrassing revelations of the conflict between Keegan and directors Dennis Wise and Derek Llambias would be revealed at a public employment tribunal.

And a win would mean Newcastle chiefs had shelled out s13.5million in two years to ex managers having paid Big Sam s4.5million.

It could not have come at a worse time for United, who face the rest of the season without a manager after Joe Kinnear was admitted to hospital last Saturday with heart trouble.

A Toon insider said: History suggests these matters are dealt with before tribunal as they can be painful for both sides. But it could go all the way.

And Llambias said recently: We cant answer questions on Kevin Keegan until we have made a settlement.