Some Newcastle United players burst out laughing when it was announced Joe Kinnear had been appointed new manager.

A dressing room insider revealed to The Sun: "(Chris) Hughton called them all together and said Kinnear was going to be the manager.

"At first everyone just looked at each other, then some of the lads started asking who he was.

"But the more experienced players who have been around the English game a while were actually laughing.

"They could not believe Newcastle had gone for him. It just shows the position the club has got itself in."