Kinnear takes temporary Newcastle role
Friday, September 26, 2008
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Newcastle United FC have appointed the experienced Joe Kinnear as interim manager, with the 61-year-old Irishman signing a contract until the end of October to fill the vacancy left by Kevin Keegan's resignation.
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Newcastle United FC have appointed the experienced Joe Kinnear as interim manager until the end of October.
Temporary role
The 61-year-old Irishman, who was formerly in charge of Wimbledon FC, Luton Town FC and Nottingham Forest FC, has stepped in to fill the vacancy left by Kevin Keegan's resignation and replaces Chris Hughton as caretaker boss. Kinnear, who had been out of management since 2004, said he believed he would be at the Newcastle helm for "six to eight games" and added: "I just see it as a massive challenge and am looking forward to it."
'No one else'
He conceded that the temporary role had not been an attractive proposition to many, with former England manager Terry Venables rejecting the chance to take the job on Thursday at a club that has been put up for sale by owner Mike Ashley. "I know that I'm in this position because no one else wants it," Kinnear said. "And I'll be here until the club is sold." Meanwhile, Newcastle have lost Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins for six weeks with a knee injury sustained in Wednesday's 2-1 English League Cup defeat by Tottenham Hotspur FC. The 23-year-old had only just returned from a groin problem.
