Former England defender Stuart Pearce is calling time on his 20-year playing career after helping Manchester City win promotion to the English premier league.
Pearce, 39, has been a key part of the Maine Road club's first division championship-winning squad, but fears he could not stand the pace in the top flight next term.
"I would embarrass myself in the premier league," Pearce, the left-back, told BBC Radio on Sunday.
"I've got away with it this season purely because I've been playing in such a good side.
"Put me in a bottom of the table side and I would have struggled badly in my opinion.
"I'll be sitting down with the manager and the manager will talk to the chairman (David Bernstein) with regard to my position but I won't play beyond this season."
Pearce suggested it was only Keegan's powers of persuasion that had seen him play on this season.
He has taken on some coaching duties over the last few months, and hopes to become a regular part of Keegan's coaching staff for their assault on the premier league.
Pearce began his career with non-league Wealdstone in 1982, before spending 12 distinguished years with Nottingham Forest and winning 78 caps for his country.
He also played for Coventry City, Newcastle United and West Ham United before joining Manchester City last June.
He is likely to feature in City's remaining two matches this season, against Gillingham and Portsmouth.