Newcastle United's Joe Kinnear calls on fans to back him

Joe Kinnear has urged Newcastle United fans to support him in his new role as director of football at St James' Park.

The 66-year-old made a return to the North East outfit as a senior figure following a five-month managerial stint in 2008.

"If I get grief, that's fine," Kinnear told the Shields Gazette. "I can take it. I can take grief. I certainly hope I don't [get it], I don't think there's any need for it.

"I'm in a role where I only want the best for the club. I'm in a role where I'm the only one who's going to report to Mike Ashley. I'm there because I want to make Newcastle a great team, it's as simple as that.

"I get a lot of satisfaction out of that. Hopefully, the fans will be as loyal as they have been. Tell the fans I'm there, and I'm going to make their team better than it is now, that's for sure. That's my message to them."

Kinnear signed a three-year deal and will work closely with manager Alan Pardew with regards to transfers.