Kinnear called to stabilise Magpies

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Magpies owner Mike Ashley sprang a major surprise on Friday afternoon when he asked the 61-year-old former Wimbledon, Luton and Nottingham Forest boss to step into the breech after Terry Venables rejected the temporary post.

"I think the club's going to be sold at the beginning of October and Chris Hughton needs all the help he can get," Kinnear told Radio 5 Live. "So if I can get in there and get a few results together until obviously the two main people are named, I assume from the new people coming in they will be Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer."

Investment bankers Seymour Pierce are actively seeking a buyer after billionaire Ashley decided he had had enough following mass protests in the wake of Kevin Keegan's resignation three weeks ago.

In a statement, Kinnear added: "I am very excited about the challenge in front of me.

"Results have not been great of late, but there is a lot of quality in the squad and I am very confident the players are capable of climbing the league table.

"Newcastle United is a great club. When I was in charge of Wimbledon, I always remember the passion of the fans up there and how great a stadium St James' Park is.

"It is a big challenge, but one I am really looking forward to."

Kinnear admitted he was stunned to receive an approach from St James' Park.

"It was a call out of the blue, to be honest. The fans are going to be disappointed (by his appointment), I am aware of that and I can do nothing about that," he told Radio 5 Live. "My shoulders are broad enough to take any criticism."