Kevin Keegan has lifted the lid on the reasons for his departure from Newcastle United, citing the signing of Uruguayan player Ignacio González as explanation.
Keegan was awarded £2 million damages plus interest on Friday after winning his case for constructive dismissal against the Magpies.
The dispute related to the circumstances in which the ex-England manager departed St James' Park in September 2008.
Keegan left Newcastle after only eight months of his second spell in charge following a row with club owner Mike Ashley and former director of football Dennis Wise regarding transfer policy.
The former Fulham and Manchester City boss claims he was forced to sign González - a player Keegan had seen only on grainy YouTube clips - in order to keep two South American agents happy
González, now back at Valencia, played just 38 Premier League minutes for the Newcastle last season while costing £1 million in wages.
"I resigned because I was being asked to sanction the signing of a player in order to 'do a favour' for two South American agents," Keegan said in a statement on the League Managers Association's official website.
"No one at the club had seen this player play and I was asked to sign him on the basis of some clips on YouTube. This is something I was not prepared to be associated with in any way.
"The club knew that I objected strongly to this transfer and were aware that, by continuing with it, I was likely to feel I had no option but to resign.
"The decision to resign was one of the most difficult that I have ever had to take in my life.
"I believe that anybody who knows me and my attachment to Newcastle United and the North East in general will understand how difficult this must have been.
"I very much hope that the decision of the Tribunal now confirms why I felt that I had no option but to resign from the position as manager of the club that I love."
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Keegan was awarded £2 million damages plus interest on Friday after winning his case for constructive dismissal against the Magpies.
The dispute related to the circumstances in which the ex-England manager departed St James' Park in September 2008.
Keegan left Newcastle after only eight months of his second spell in charge following a row with club owner Mike Ashley and former director of football Dennis Wise regarding transfer policy.
The former Fulham and Manchester City boss claims he was forced to sign González - a player Keegan had seen only on grainy YouTube clips - in order to keep two South American agents happy
González, now back at Valencia, played just 38 Premier League minutes for the Newcastle last season while costing £1 million in wages.
"I resigned because I was being asked to sanction the signing of a player in order to 'do a favour' for two South American agents," Keegan said in a statement on the League Managers Association's official website.
"No one at the club had seen this player play and I was asked to sign him on the basis of some clips on YouTube. This is something I was not prepared to be associated with in any way.
"The club knew that I objected strongly to this transfer and were aware that, by continuing with it, I was likely to feel I had no option but to resign.
"The decision to resign was one of the most difficult that I have ever had to take in my life.
"I believe that anybody who knows me and my attachment to Newcastle United and the North East in general will understand how difficult this must have been.
"I very much hope that the decision of the Tribunal now confirms why I felt that I had no option but to resign from the position as manager of the club that I love."
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