Kinnear´s swearing rant stuns English game

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear's extraordinary, expletive-laden attack on sections of the British press brought mixed reactions on Friday as the 61-year-old's rant became an Internet hit.

Kinnear caused a storm when he singled out newspaper reporters over their coverage of his shock appointment at the crisis-hit English Premier League club.

The former Wimbledon boss was upset by how his decision to allow Newcastle's players to have a day off on Monday had been reported and launched into a tirade containing over 50 swear words.

Kinnear claimed he had been “ridiculed for no reason” and hinted at taking legal action against his detractors in the media.

He described some reporters as “c****” and “f****** out of order”.

However, the furore completely bypassed Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari who even admitted he did not know who Kinnear was despite the Brazilian's 26 years in management.

When shown a picture of Joe Kinnear by the press, Scolari added: “He is a coach? I don't know him. I am a man of peace.”

However, Bolton manager Gary Megson, a former Newcastle player, defended Kinnear.

“Joe has got the hump and the guy in the media seemed to be suggesting that Newcastle's players shouldn't have had Monday off,” said Megson.

“But I can't see what is wrong with that because Newcastle are playing on Sunday and therefore have an extra day to prepare.

“It's a huge football club and Joe needs to meet all the staff and let everyone know how he wants to do things.

“You can't do everything in 24 hours, but from a football point of view I don't think it was an issue.

“I've read the interview and Joe was apparently happy for it to go out, but the only thing that helps in any respect in football is by winning matches.

“Joe Kinnear has been out of the game for a while now and he has got to be given a chance. To start jumping on somebody's back, in their first day in the job, is a little bit unfair.”

Kinnear, who has been out of the game for four years following a spell at Nottingham Forest, singled out Daily Mirror reporter Simon Bird and Daily Express football writer Niall Hickman.

Bird, whose newspaper broadcast the full exchange on its website, told the BBC such outbursts are commonplace.

“We're big boys we can take it – these things happen two or three times a season with managers who are upset and it remains off the record,” Bird said.

“I have had a colleague who has been pinned against the wall by a former manager but at least these things don't get written.

“But the difference was yesterday (Thursday) that we asked him two or three times 'look you know, this better be off the record – we'll not print okay?'

“And his response was 'write what you effing want'. We asked him whether he was sure and he said 'go ahead write it' so we have written it.

“It is surprising after four days in the job he blew his top so spectacularly after a limited degree of criticism. I don't think he has been ridiculed as much he thinks he has been.”

Kinnear takes charge of his first game at Everton on Sunday.