In a surprise move former Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear took charge of Newcastle on 26 September 2008 initially on a 10 week contract. The intention was that he would manage the club until the owner Mike Ashley had sold it. Kinnear's contract was extended by one month in October, and he was then confirmed on 28 November to manage the club until the end of the season.
In late December 2008, Ashley announced he had been unsuccessful in finding a suitable buyer for the club and took the club off the market.He announced that he still had the very best intentions for the club and would continue to find ways forward for the club to progress.
Ashley was reported to have opened talks with Kinnear about a permanent move to the club as manager,.but Kinnear's offer was debated by many fans as whilst some acknowledged a vast improvement in the teams confidence and morale, as well as notable player signings in Kevin Nolan, Ryan Taylor, and Peter Løvenkrands, others were angered by rumours that Ashley was to be offering Kinnear the same conditions that Kevin Keegan demanded on his departure. In February 2009 however Kinnear was admitted to hospital following reports of heart trouble, and subsequently underwent heart surgery. Kinnear withdrew from his managerial duties while on convalescent leave.
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