London  - Kevin Keegan has left Newcastle United after only eight months in charge of the team, British media reports said Tuesday.

Some reports said Keegan had resigned over the lack of control over transfer activity, while others spoke of a dismissal.

According to Sky Sports News, Keegan, 57, was sacked over differences with directors over the club's transfer activities.

The Daily Mail said Keegan was called into a 2 pm meeting on Monday which club insiders described as "very important but not related to transfer business."

It is believed a heated discussion took place, with managing director Derek Llambias making clear the board's dissatisfaction with Keegan, who was in his second spell as manager at the club.

Dennis Wise, the club's executive director for football, has already been installed as favourite to replace Keegan.

The BBC reported that Keegan had been unhappy with a lack of control over transfer activity, including the sale last week of James Milner. The transfer window closed on Monday without the big signings Keegan had hoped for.

There has been no comfirmation so far from Newcastle on Keegan's exit.

However Newcastle fans gathered outside St James' Park, Newcastle fans to protest against Keegan's departure, and called for owner Mike Ashley to leave the club.

Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd, who worked with Keegan for five years before selling his shares to Ashley, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm very disappointed - he is a great guy.

"He is very special to Newcastle. He's got something you can't buy in a manager and he'll be sorely missed. I thought he was doing a good job." (dpa)