Newcastle United want manager Joe Kinnear to remain with the club - even if he knocks back their new contract offer.

Toon owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias hope Kinnear will return as manager. But they are determined to keep him at St James' Park one way or another.

And a senior Newcastle source told the News of the World: "Joe Kinnear will have some role at the club come what may. If it's not in the manager's role, then he will be offered a position upstairs."

That would put Kinnear in line to take over from Dennis Wise as the Geordies' director of football.

Wise is set to leave at the end of the season, although he has stayed involved in most deals since he was appointed in January last year.