Toon boss Kinnear could be Director of Football

Mar 29 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

JOE KINNEAR will take on an “upstairs” role at Newcastle if he decides against staying on as manager beyond the summer.

And with Dennis Wise ready to quit United at the end of the season, Kinnear could replace him as the Magpies’ director of football.

Although expected back at work next month after heart bypass surgery, Kinnear remains unsure whether to sign the two-year contract extension offered to him in January.

But Newcastle’s top brass are adamant he will remain with the club in some capacity even if he withdraws from the managerial frontline.

And with Wise’s departure looking certain, a DoF position — based from his Hertfordshire home — could well appeal to Kinnear.

The Sunday Sun revealed last month that Wise was preparing to relinquish his controversial role at United.

And I understand Wise would already have cut his ties with United but for Kinnear’s spell of sick leave.

Wise’s future has been further clouded by his support for the idea of Terry Venables taking charge at Newcastle in Kinnear’s absence.