Sam Allardyce admits he's shocked by what has happened to Kevin Keegan at Newcastle United.

Keegan's future is on a knife edge and Big Sam says: "I am quite shocked by what has happened, because Kevin was the man they picked.

"But Newcastle are like quite a number of Premier League clubs in that they want instant success, whether the manager has been given lots to spend or had his budget cut.

"The club has gone so long without winning anything that the pressures just build and build. Kevin knows that better than me, as he has been involved much longer than I was.

"Newcastle spent a lot over the years without winning anything. Now they are trying to cut back but still want to win things. That is hard to do and can lead to conflict between a manager and his bosses."