LONDON (AFP) - Former Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear on Sunday confirmed that he is returning to the north-east England club as director of football.

The 66-year-old left Newcastle in 2009 after suffering a heart attack.

He was in charge for only six months, leaving in April 2009 just before the club were relegated from the Premier League. The Magpies bounced back immediately the following season and last season finished 16th in the 20-team division after narrowly avoiding the drop.

"It's an interesting role for myself and I don't think I could be at a better club to do it," Kinnear told Sky Sports News.