Kinnear ‘not plotting against Pardew’

Joe Kinnear has played down talk of behind-the-scenes turmoil at Newcastle, claiming he and manager Alan Pardew are “working together — not plotting against each other”.

Kinnear’s controversial summer appointment as the club’s director of football was seen by some as an undermining of Pardew’s position, which itself came under scrutiny as United battled relegation last season.

A 4-0 opening-weekend loss at Manchester City and a 0-0 draw with West Ham have added to the sense of frustration, but Kinnear insists all is well at St James’ Park.