Newcastle interim manager Joe Kinnear will not curb his outbursts if he feels he is being unfairly treated. The former Wimbledon and Luton boss made the headlines with an expletive-laden rant at a number of national newspaper journalists.

The League Managers' Association has called on Kinnear to apologise if his comments were not off the record.

"I've got to hold my hands up, I didn't think I'd be treated the way I have been with all the cheap shots," he said.

"I didn't realise football had got to that stage. I've got a short temper, I've got a short fuse, I'm well aware of that. I say what I believe and I'm never going to change.

"There have been people saying I've had two heart attacks and I'm ready for a third, others saying I need my head examined. I didn't envisage any of this, not in the slightest, and maybe I'm naive because of that.

"I was in a state of shock and just couldn't believe it, it's sickening. I can see why people say Newcastle is one of the most difficult clubs in the country to manage."

League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan told Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "Whether it's a manager, owner or even supporter, such heavy use of language is unacceptable, when in a public arena.

"However, in Joe's case his conversation did start off the record and in a private meeting."

When asked if Kinnear should apologise, Bevan added: "If it wasn't a private meeting, then the answer is yes."