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Martins keen for permanent Kinnear deal

21/11/2008

Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins has called for Joe Kinnear to be handed a permanent deal as the club's manager.

At present, Kinnear is at the club only on interim basis, having been brought in by the club's owner Mike Ashley while he tries to find a buyer.

Speaking to the Sun newspaper, Martin said: "Joe should get the job permanently because stability and support are what the club needs.

"We have a manager who does not seek the glamour of handling a Premier League club, he does his own thing the best way he can and so far we are just having fun.

"The club should stick with him."

Martins' comments follow those of Shay Given and Damien Duff who have also claimed that Newcastle should stick with the former Wimbledon boss.

Kinnear himself, however, has said that planned talks with Ashley regarding his future at the club have been postponed.

"I said it would be after the Chelsea game but the goalposts have moved since then," he said.

"Every time the club gets nearer to being sold, a problem pops up - the credit crunch, or whatever else.

"When I walked in they said the club would be sold around about the Chelsea game. It's month to month, so the last game of the month is Middlesbrough.

"Then we start another month if the club is not sold. They keep saying we are getting close but obviously we have not seen any finances coming up from the American group interested. That is all they tell me."

Newcastle are currently 17th in the Premier League and face leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.