JOE KINNEAR has suggested that Newcastle United’s support is prejudiced against Londoners – including the club’s Buckinghamshire-born owner, Mike Ashley – and that only Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer could enjoy unconditional support as manager

Kinnear claimed yesterday that Ashley, who has been trying to sell the club “for over 12 months”, had made him the offer last month of a two-year contract to come back as manager, only for him to turn it down on medical grounds.

His doctor says that he cannot return to the dugout until December at the earliest. But it was Kinnear’s comments about regional attitudes that will stir debate.

“I think Mike Ashley got a lot of unfair criticism last year, I think anybody from London does, that’s the way life is up there,” said Kinnear.

“We were 2-0 up against Aston Villa (in November) and a chant broke out around the entire stadium for about 10 minutes, ‘There’s only one KK’. You get it whoever you are, it’s just the way they are.

“Up there, KK and Shearer are their two Messiahs and that’s who they want all the time. And so you just have to bite the bullet and get on with it if you’re not one of those two.”

Kinnear’s opinion about Newcastle was countered by a spokesman for the regional development agency One North East. He said: “The north-east is well known for being one of the most welcoming areas of the UK. Last year Lonely Planet described the north-east as ‘the most exciting, beautiful and friendly region in the whole of England’.”

Kinnear, who was born in Dublin but grew up in London, was Ashley’s shock managerial appointment last September after Keegan walked out but was forced from the post following a triple heart bypass operation in February.

After a spell under the caretaker guidance of the coach Chris Hughton, Shearer took over for the final eight Premier League matches but he was unable to prevent relegation.

Ashley has given serious consideration to appointing a manager on a short-term contract, with David O’Leary, Alan Curbishley, Gordon Strachan and Steve Coppell discussed at boardroom level.

Former Republic of Ireland international Hughton will be in charge of the club’s opening Championship fixture at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Kinnear said that the club’s sale “could happen in the next month” but he cannot see Shearer returning as manager while Ashley remains the owner.

“I would think Shearer would go back if the new buyers come in,” he said.

“He won’t under the present ownership. At the moment I wouldn’t think there’s any chance.”

Kinnear also backed the striker Michael Owen to return to form at Manchester United, the club he joined last month after four disappointing seasons at Newcastle.

“Michael will be a much better player alongside the type of players that Man United have got,” he said at the launch of the new Championship Manager 2010 game.

“Unfortunately we were just a workmanlike side, we didn’t create enough chances for him. At Newcastle he got a little bit stale and disappointed with what he was playing with. I spoke to Alex (Ferguson) prior to Michael going there and I think the move will inspire him.”

Kinnear said that Ferguson had inquired about Owen’s “fitness level, nothing else”.

“Michael is only 29, people forget that,” said Kinnear.

“He’s had some decent games for us but when we don’t produce, he gets starved and it’s tough for him. He just had to roll his sleeves up at Newcastle, they are not a glamour team. He has gone to a real glamour team now.”