Newcastle offer Kinnear extended deal

Joe Kinnear claims he has been offered the chance to carry on as Newcastle’s manager beyond the end of the season on what he described as “very lucrative” terms.

Kinnear was expected to be only an interim appointment when he arrived at St James’ Park in September in the aftermath of Kevin Keegan’s acrimonious departure from the manager’s seat.

But his first short-term contract was extended until the end of the season and the 62-year-old, who has led Newcastle out of the relegation zone, is now set to agree a longer deal with owner Mike Ashley, who has abandoned his plan to sell the club.

“I know what my own future is. I’m just mulling over things in my head at the moment. I have been offered a very lucrative contract,” Kinnear said on Friday.

The former Nottingham Forest and Wimbledon boss added that he had held talks with Ashley about the owner’s investment plans for the future.

“First and foremost, we have to work hard and establish ourselves as a Premier League side and get away from the relegation fight,” Kinnear added.

“I really don’t need any more distractions than that. What I suggested to the club was that we all sit down in the summer and look at each other and say what direction do we want to take the club in, refinancing it, letting players go and bringing in my own players.

“I’ll also see what my wife and family have to say about the situation of moving up here permanently.”