Former Leeds United and Aston Villa boss David O'Leary has rejected the job at Newcastle United.

The Daily Mail says O'Leary is understood to have passed on what many would consider a poisoned chalice because it was stressed to him that Newcastle might soon be sold.

Hours earlier Joe Kinnear, who stepped down last February needing a heart bypass operation, confirmed he too had been offered a return to the same post with the same length of deal a fortnight ago but was unable to take it up immediately.