Magpies turn to Kinnear

Newcastle United have confirmed Joe Kinnear as their new interim manager until the end of October.

Toon bring in Irishman on short-term deal

Newcastle United have confirmed Joe Kinnear as their new interim manager. The 61-year-old Dubliner has accepted the role as manager on a short-term basis - initially until the end of October. Magpies owner Mike Ashley is in the process of selling the club which has seen his efforts to find a successor to Kevin Keegan - who left earlier this month - seriously hampered. 24 hours after Terry Venables confirmed that he rejected the role, Kinnear has now agreed to take charge of first-team affairs.

Delight

Kinnear revealed his delight at being handed the task of taking the St James' Park hot-seat. "I am very excited about the challenge in front of me at Newcastle United," said Kinnear. "Results have not been great of late, but there is a lot of quality in the squad and I am very confident the players are capable of climbing the league table. "Newcastle United is a great club. When I was in charge of Wimbledon I always remember the passion of the fans up there and how great a stadium St. James' Park is. "It is a big challenge but one I am really looking forward to." Kinnear has not managed since 2004 when he departed Nottingham Forest after just ten months at the City Ground. Previously to that he enjoyed spells with Wimbledon and Luton.