Alan Pardew has told friends the arrival of Joe Kinnear at Newcastle United did not shock him.

The Daily Mail says Pardew will be aware that a club statement on Tuesday made it clear he must 'report in' to the new director of football, something that holds potential for conflict.

Ashley has reservations about Pardew, despite the fact the club played in the Europa League last season and survived in the top flight despite a crippling injury list and the January sale of star striker Demba Ba.

Pardew has told friends he has never had cross words with the owner. He knew Ashley was thinking about hiring a football director and was not surprised it was Kinnear, given their friendship and the fact he had been the manager four years ago.