Source: Daily_Mail
Kinnear could return next month as Newcastle offer boss two-year deal
Joe Kinnear claims he could be back managing Newcastle next month.
The veteran boss had to step down last season because of health reasons but is now back in the running as owner Mike Ashley looks to sell the club.
Kinnear, who underwent triple heart bypass operation in February, has been offered a two-year contract to return to St James' Park but his health has stopped him immediately accepting the deal.
Hot favourite Alan Shearer has lost patience with the behind-the-scenes turmoil that has so far blocked any appointment.
Yet, the club will have to wait until at least September to hand the reins to Kinnear, who took over after Kevin Keegan's departure last year.
'I spoke to managing director Derek Llambias, we had a long chat and he offered me a two-year contract,' he said at the launch of Championship Manager 2010.
VIDEO: Joe Kinnear reveals Newcastle offer...
'They wanted to announce it last week but I've put it on hold and that's as far as we've got. I was due to go back for the pre-season friendlies but I've told them I need another month.
'I've got one more visit to the hospital and up until now everything has gone really well. I'm hoping this time next month I'll have the good news to get the all-clear so I can get back into football.
Hopefully the opportunity will still be there but at the same time the club could be sold or someone else has taken the job.
Asked when he would expect to be ready to return, he added. 'I would think a month at the most - certainly no longer. I'm trying to keep it as short as I possibly can but in the meantime anything can happen.'
Kinnear had earlier appeared to have rejected Newcastle's offer when he claimed he needed a further three months away from football.
'I told him I'm not going back to football until at least another three months,' he said. 'I've been offered a two year contract. It was about two weeks ago - I was due to go back for pre-season friendlies as manager but I told him I wasn't up to it for medical reasons.
'I need to take time out and reassess the situation, then take it from there. In another three months, the picture might be completely different. If Newcastle feel they need to get another manager, then so be it.'
