Kinnear said that he would not be intimidated by the press, "I will stand up and fight for myself in any corner," he said. "You're not going to frighten me in any manner.”

"Whatever you do, or whatever headlines you run, you're not going to embarrass me.

"I'm not going to stand for it. I've come up here for a simple chance to prove myself. Get off my back and let me get on with my job. That's all I ask."

"I am contracted for eight games but I assume that, should due diligence and the deals go on a little bit longer, it may run into 10 or 12 games,"

Kinnear added that had spoken to club captain Michael Own and explained the goings on at St James’ Park, "I have had a long chat with Michael Owen and he told me that one of the problems with the players has been that they have been kept in the dark as to what is happening.”

"Now after talking at length to Derek Llambias, I have been able to have a clear-the-air-talk with Michael in his role as skipper, and this has been passed on to the rest of the players.”

"They are now up to date with what is going on and they are a lot happier."