Kinnear hits out at ´fantasist´ N´Zogbia

Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear has angrily hit back at claims made by former player Charles N’Zogbia that the Irishman is incapable of managing the club.

N’Zogbia secured a six million pound transfer to Wigan on Monday after a very public falling out with Kinnear, who had angered him by mispronouncing his name in a television interview.

The French player, who could make his Wigan debut at home to Fulham on Saturday, said: “Newcastle needs someone to control the club properly.”

Kinnear branded N’Zogbia’s comments “laughable” and told a press conference here Friday that the Frenchman “lives in a fantasy world”.

N’Zogbia refused to play for Newcastle after Kinnear’s stumble – in which he appeared to refer to the left-sided midfielder as ‘Insomnia’ – and said the incident had shown a lack of respect.

“When you hear the manager say something like this about you, then you know he doesn’t respect you,” he said.

“If he doesn’t respect you, what’s the point of playing for him?

“I wasn’t happy playing at Newcastle, there was no conversation with the manager.

“I was playing but when you are young, you need somebody to tell you what to do. When there is no conversation you want to move on.”

Kinnear, who joined Newcastle in September following the departure of Kevin Keegan, hit back by accusing the 22-year-old of repeatedly trying to secure a move away from the club.

“There was not a day when he didn’t have some Mickey Mouse story about a club that wanted him,” Kinnear said.

“First it was Arsenal, then Manchester United, then Real Madrid, then Aston Villa and Lyon.

“I think he needed bringing down to earth and I can assure you nobody tried to stop him going.”

N’Zogbia’s exit came hot on the heels of the departure of long-serving goalkeeper Shay Given, who joined Manchester City after 12 years at St James’ Park.