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Joe Kinnear has accepted a three year contract with Newcastle United as director of football.

The former Toon boss says he will be in full control of incoming players but will work with chief scout Graham Carr and Alan Padrew.

Kinnear also says that United are aiming for a top 10 finish.

ChronicleLive broke the story to you this afternoon but Kinnear's appointment has left some fans in a state of shock.

Kinnear said: "I am hoping to meet with Alan over lunch this week.

"Our target is to push ourselves up the table.

"And do as well as we can.

"We want to do as well as we did a couple of seasons ago."

Kinnear left United in 2009 due to a health condition after suffering a heart scare.

But he insists he is fit to stay in the game.

He said: "I am fit as a fiddle.

"I am out doing long walks and at the gym.

"I am in the best shape I could be.

"I have turned down other jobs at lower league level because I feel I am past that.

"And when asked what his thoughts were about making a return to Tyneside.

He said: "I am looking forward to it.

"I was at the club a few years ago and I knew it inside out.

"Kinnear was also asked whether he was concerned that his appointment may not be popular with fans.

He said: "Geordies are Geordies.

"They want local people in charge at the club.

"But when you look around now there are managers that are from all over the world.

"When I first went they didn't accept me because I wasn't a Geordie.

"But I got over it.

"Maybe my reaction was over the top.

"It is all water under the bridge."