Joe Kinnear Gives Bizarre Interview To TalkSport - Calls Newcastle Midfielder "Yohan Kebab"
gave a bizarre interview to talkSPORT last night in which he appeared to insult the club's fans before repeatedly mispronouncing names of players and staff. The 66-year old managed the Magpies between 2008 and 2009 before stepping aside due to ailing health problems and was this week sensationally named director of football at the North East club, appearing to undermine manager Alan Pardew. And the controversy deepened last night as the former Wimbledon man delivered a shambolic radio interview in which he referred to Yohan Cabaye as "Yohan Kebab" and Shola Ameobi as "Amamobi". Then, when asked on his views about the opinions of the club's supporters in the wake of his astonishing re-appointment at St. James' Park, he appeared to belittle their intelligence by stating:
To all the fans who dont agree with this decision what do you want? What do they want? I heard a silly comment of 'what can I attract? I can open the door to any manager in the world, anyone, thats the difference. Ive spent my whole life talking to Alex Ferguson, week in, week out, what would you do? I can pick the phone up at any time of day and speak to Arsène Wenger, any manager in the league. In all the divisions. I dont know what angle theyve got, if they want to sit down and argue with me ... Some are talking out of their backsides, a load of tosh. Im not accepting it, as simple as that. I have certainly got more intelligence than them, thats a fact.Then, Kinnear confused matters over who is really at charge on Tyneside by stating that he will have just as much control over transfer dealings as manager Pardew. He had previously insisted his arrival would not undermine the former Reading coach but said in the talkSPORT interview last night: Who has the final say? We both do. Kinnear is thought to wield great power at the North East club following his appointment in his new role and will answer only to owner Mike Ashley on footballing matters. He will even base himself at the clubs training ground and is also expected to travel with the first-team squad on match days. Pardew, who has seven years remaining on the contract he signed in September last year, may feel this is unacceptable, but there does not seem to be much he can do about it unless he decides to quit.