Former Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has blasted current owner Mike Ashley and he feels the club simply cannot move forward with Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias in charge.

Keegan feels the sacking of former manager Chris Hughton on Monday was a massive mistake, and the former Magpies boss believes Ashley just does not know enough about the sport to successfully run a club.

"Chris Hughton's shock departure has once again demonstrated Newcastle United need some stability, but you will never get stability when you have Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias running the club," said Keegan.

"Ashley has made no secret he wants to sell Newcastle, and the best day will come when someone buys it from him and runs Newcastle like that club should be run. The club can never go anywhere under Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias.

"When a man buys a club like Mike Ashley did, and he knows as little about football as he does, he is likely to make these sort of mistakes and these sort of judgments, and still think he is doing okay."

Keegan walked away from Newcastle in 2008 due to interference from the board regarding transfer dealings.

However, while Keegan admits he is perplexed at the recent goings on at St James' Park he believes new boss Alan Pardew, who has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal, is the right man to take the club forward.

He added:"Alan is not vastly experienced. He has managed for 17 months in the Premier League.

"But Alan's a good lad. I know him well - he is very dedicated and he works very hard."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email