Keegan: Newcastle tried to move Joey Barton to Portsmouth

The former England manager took charge of the Magpies for a second spell in January 2008.

However, he lasted less than eight months in the St James' Park hot seat.

Keegan resigned as boss on September 4 '“ three days after the summer transfer window closed '“ following a breakdown in relations with owner Mike Ashley.

On deadline day, Pompey were rumoured to be chasing Barton as they prepared for their maiden Uefa Cup campaign.

Manager Harry Redknapp rubbished the Blues were interested in the one-cap England midfielder when he was asked by The News after the window had shut.

Yet Keegan insists the Newcastle board attempted to engineer Barton a switch to Fratton Park.

The ex-Liverpool forward told Football Focus: '˜There was an owner, in my mind, at that time who had money to put in (to the club).

'˜In reality, it wasn't like that.

'˜It wasn't an owner who wanted to put money in at all.

'˜I was surrounded by people who just didn't want to help me '“ in fact, who made the job more difficult.

'˜They tried to get Michael Owen out on loan without telling me and they tried to get Joey Barton to Portsmouth.

'˜Players are coming to you saying 'gaffer, why are you doing this?'

'˜You're going back to them (the board) saying 'what are you doing guys, this is not a way to run a football club'.'