STUART Pearce has been appointed Manchester City manager until the end of the season at least following Kevin Keegan's departure.

The club confirmed Keegan's departure in a statement on Friday morning.

"Manchester City football club announces that by mutual agreement our manager Kevin Keegan will leave the club with immediate effect," read a statement on the club's website www.mcfc.co.uk.

"We all believe that this is in the best interest of the club."

Stuart Pearce will take charge until the end of the season, but a host of names including Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce - whose team beat City 1-0 in Keegan's finale on Monday night - former Southampton boss Gordon Strachan, Crystal Palace's Iain Dowie and Celtic boss Martin O'Neill have already been linked with the Eastlands post in tabloid speculation.

Keegan had a rollercoaster three-and-a-half years at the helm of City, thrilling the fans with big-name signings and dashing football, but he had grown disillusioned with their failure to challenge the big three in the Premiership.

The 54-year-old made similar exits from Newcastle and England, but it would appear that this departure brings the curtain down on the managerial career of one of the game's most colourful characters.