Joe Kinnear insists he is "head and shoulders" above every other director of football in the Premier League because of his experience.

The 66-year-old's appointment was greeted by a less than favourable response on Tyneside, but having started work in earnest at St James' Park on Monday, he believes he is more than qualified for the job.

He told the Shields Gazette: "Every top club in the land has got one [a director of football]. We haven't – that's the difference.

"The manager can't do everything. I'm probably the only football manager to be a director of football. I don't know any other ex-managers who have.

"I've been a manager for 35 years. I've been manager of the year. I've won every award there is in football as a player. I think all those qualities put me head and shoulders above every other director of football."

Newcastle have tried the director of football system before with Dennis Wise, whose title was executive director (football), working above the then manager Kevin Keegan. It was a move which backfired spectacularly with Keegan eventually walking out and successfully fighting a claim for constructive dismissal.

However, Kinnear is convinced he can form a working partnership with the manager Alan Pardew and chief scout Graham Carr as the club set about the task of improving the squad for next season.

He said: "Some directors of football have never played the game. I'm lending my experience as a manager for all those years – 10 years at Wimbledon, two years at Nottingham Forest, two years winning promotion at Luton and, of course, almost two years at Newcastle. I would still be there had it [a heart attack] not occurred."

Kinnear was actually in charge at St James' for a little more than six months before his health problems struck.

His first act could be to sanction the departure of the utility man James Perch, who is currently the subject of a bid from relegated Wigan.

Perch, 27, has emerged as something of a cult figure on Tyneside after a difficult start to his career in a black and white shirt.

However, despite the fact that he provides cover across the back four and in a defensive midfield role, it appears that the Magpies could be ready to offload him as they review the current squad.