The best and worst news we’ve received in months came to a head today, with the some of the national tabloids reporting that everyone’s friendly cockney Joe Kinnear would take the reigns until the club was sold (which could be a very long time). However, an official statement from NUFC this afternoon says the following:

REPORTS in the press this morning that Joe Kinnear is to be appointed as Newcastle United manager are not true.

The position remains that the Club is still in the market to be sold and is still negotiating with prospective buyers.

As far as this Toon supporter is concerned, I couldn’t be happier. We have the chance to rebuild – throwing away that opportunity could draw us ever closer to a perilous future. One more thing to think about, is that I dare say that this story could have some meat behind it. Let’s face it, Mike Ashley has made worse decisions in his tenure at St. James, this wouldn’t even rate as one of his bigger gaffes. But what’s revealing about the club’s decision in my mind is that it could mean a sale is looming. If you read between the lines, the club seem to be alluding to the fact that an interim manager is not needed.

Clutching at straws? Possibly. But I’ll take the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. We’ve certainly waited long enough.

Recent charges brought against Joe Kinnear by the Football Association have been met with vehement denials by the Newcastle United boss.

The charges brought against Joe Kinnear by the FA are as follows:

Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has been charged with using abusive and insulting words towards a match official.

Kinnear was sent to the stands during Newcastle’s match against Stoke City on 6 December after contesting the award of a free kick.

Chris Hughton Newcastle’s assistant manager has played down talk of Kinnear’s foul-mouthed tirade at the linesman citing that Joe may have gotten carried away by the emotion. Of course, the man himself protests his innocence, but in all fairness to the FA, Joe doesn’t really have a good track record in regards to his impeccable speech now does he?

Howay man Joe, how about cutting the officials some slack and go swear at your team for their shoddy marking for the free-kick? Now that would be emotion…

Joe Kinnear was today given a more long-term contract as Newcastle gaffer until the end of the season. It looks like Cockney Mike’s attempts to pimp the club to anyone with a large wad of cash has failed due to the recent credit crunch.

I think stability needs to be the key here. Whether you’re a Joe Kinnear admirer or not, the players seem to have taken to him. The performances against Villa and more recently Chelsea have proven that he can get the lads playing and working as a unit. Although admittedly there have also been some dire performances from those in a black and white shirt.

The good news is that now Joe can sit down and start talking with Michael about a new contract. Let’s not forget we’re in a relegation scrap and players of the calibre of Michael Owen will only aid us in our cause. If Joe can pursuade Mike Ashley to put his hands in his pockets so we can bring some decent players in and get rid of the crap ones, then all the better.

Howay the Toon.