Joe Kinnear has revealed he has been offered a "very lucrative" deal to stay on as Newcastle manager past the end of the season.

Michael Owen has told Newcastle he will not make a decision on his future until the end of the season.

And so, at this reflective time of year, we come to a task we've been saving for you – choosing the recipient of the Independent on Sunday Most Ludicrous Briton Award.

Joe Kinnear seems to be single-handedly attempting to pull down the Football Association's Respect campaign and as such the charges are stacking up for the Newcastle manager who was last night handed his latest, this time for using abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official during Saturday's 2-2 Premier League draw with Stoke City.

Newcastle striker Michael Owen insists the "hysteria" which has gripped the club over the past few months is responsible for contract talks being put on hold.

"I'm the mongrel who made it to Crufts" is how Kevin Keegan once described himself. What he lacked in natural talent he made up for with hard work, rising from Doncaster reject to captain of England, European Cup-winner and twice European Footballer of the Year. Along the way, his financial shrewdness established him as football's first personal brand.

In a move that suggests the sale of Newcastle United is effectively postponed, it was announced yesterday that the caretaker manager Joe Kinnear will remain in charge until the end of the season.

Newcastle's new owner is almost certain to hail from overseas - and there is no indication yet from any interested party that Kevin Keegan's return to the club is central to their plans.

Kevin Keegan is suing Newcastle United for £9m in damages after claiming unfair dismissal over his departure as manager, according to reports.

Gerry Francis has revealed he would be honoured to coach at Newcastle, but insists a deal to join Joe Kinnear's backroom staff is still a long way off.

The businessman heading a South African consortium bidding to take over Newcastle has confirmed he has spoken to Kevin Keegan about returning to the club as manager.