Joe Kinnear bemoans lack of credit for Newcastle stint

Kinnear took over for a short spell (GETTY IMAGES)

Former Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear has claimed he has not had the credit he deserves for his spell in charge because he is a cockney.

Kinnear spent an four eventful months or so at St James' Park during the 2008-09 season before being taken ill and during that time, signed now skipper Kevin Nolan, Peter Lovenkrands and Ryan Taylor.

The buys were funded by the sale of Charles N'Zogbia - a man he once mistakenly referred to as "Charles Insomnia" - to Wigan, then managed by Steve Bruce.

Kinnear told the Journal: "I wanted to sell him because I didn't get on with him, I didn't think he was a fighter.

"I got £8million for him and it was me who brought in Kevin Nolan for £4million.

"He was Newcastle's player of the year last year, but do I get any credit for signing him? No, because I'm a cockney.

"The trouble was, I had to generate my own money. When the £8million was offered by Brucey, I knew I had to get Nolan.

"Then I got Lovenkrands. He was a free. With his experience, I thought he would be great to come off the bench for us."

Meanwhile, Kinnear said he was mystified by Sunderland boss Bruce's claims that he turned down the chance to buy Andy Carroll after he was quoted £4.5million by him.