Kinnear: I want the best at Newcastle

Newcastle director of football Joe Kinnear is looking to bring the “best” players available for Alan Pardew to play with on Tyneside.

Kinnear rejoined the club on June 18, four years after stepping down as manager due to heart problems, and is ready to sit down with chief scout Graham Carr and Pardew to identify targets for the new season.

After a successful campaign in 2011-12, where Newcastle finished fifth, the club struggled to cope with fixture congestion last season and as a result their form dipped and they were in a battle for survival.

“We’ll sit down and discuss (things). We’re not kids. We want the best for Newcastle,” he told The Shields Gazzette.

“(The) three of us can sit down and iron out what we think is the best for Newcastle. Our role is to get the best players and the best team that Newcastle have. That’s what I intend to do.”

Kinnear and Carr will be heavily involved with identifying new players, but the 66-year-old was quick to point out that Pardew will still be involved in the process and no player will be signed without his knowledge and approval.

“We’re going to sit down and ask Alan Pardew ‘what do you think about the team? What do you think we need?’,” he continued.

“I’m going to say what I say. Alan’s going to say what he says. As long as it’s truthful talk, it’s something positive.”

The former Wimbledon manager also gave an insight into his day-to-day activities and the calibre of player he was looking to bring to the club.

“I’m not saying ‘hey – let’s go and get Ronaldo and Messi.’ They’re out of our range,” he admitted. “But if we see what we believe are good, solid players, I don’t see why we shouldn’t be in the top 10.

“Each night I’ll be going to matches. Maybe I’ll be going out of the country with Graham. We’ll travel around.

“We’ll go elsewhere to try and open the doors on new signings.”