Alan Pardew is shocked by developments at Newcastle United.

The Daily Star says the Newcastle manager found out about Joe Kinnear's arrival as director of football last week and is understood to have been shocked, upset and disappointed.

He is under no illusions that Kinnear has been drafted in because Toon owner Mike Ashley's confidence in him was dented after last season's 16th-place finish.

Pardew is close to Derek Llambias, who resigned this morning as managing director.

But his instincts are to carry on. Pardew and his backroom team of John Carver, Steve Stone and Andy Woodman are determined to stay together and lead Newcastle back into the top half of the Premier League.