Geordie legend Sir Bobby Robson says the ranting media conference held by Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear "staggered" him.
In his column for the Mail on Sunday, Robson wrote: "I was staggered about what went on between Joe and the Press this week, with his 52 swear words and personal insults. Some people have suggested Joe's outrage was all an act to build a siege mentality.
"I think the anger was genuine, but he needs to be bigger than that. I found it all a bit unsavoury and in my view he let the club down. If he hoped the confrontation would motivate his players, I'm not sure it will work.
"Senior professionals like Shay Given, Damien Duff and Michael Owen aren't suddenly going to become inspired by their manager swearing at some reporters. To them it's irrelevant.
"They want a proper manager who will do things right to win matches. If Joe wants to work wonders, it will be achieved with time on the training pitch, not in the press room. Although the media are an easy target and a minority may be glad to see a reporter or two get their comeuppance, Newcastle fans aren't daft.
"They will respect Kinnear only for his results, not for picking fights. If you look at Newcastle's most successful managers of recent times - Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and myself - you couldn't imagine us being foul-mouthed in a Press conference."
