by It is part of the tragedy of life that what we did last remains fresher in the memory than what we did best. It is part of Joe Kinnear’s tragedy that his last spell as manager, at Newcastle in the 2008-09 season, included one of the great openings for a press conference…
Kinnear: “Which one is Simon Bird?”
Simon Bird: “Me.”
Kinnear: “You’re a cunt.”
Bird: “Thank you.”
An unusual back-and-forth ensued in which Kinnear was clearly furious about stories he hadn’t read and then got angry when journalists asked if he could clarify the length of his contract. The press officer’s appeal that everything said that was not in the bath note record was perfect added to what was widely regarded as a very funny scene, and much credit must also be given to anyone who asked cheerfully: “Any hits?” ending the silence after the press officer urged everyone to get back to football.
Following Kevin Keegan’s resignation in September 2008, Kinnear was reported to be the 25th choice to succeed him. Because his first press conference degenerated into such a farce only to increase the feeling of chaos. Kinnear’s reign ended eight months later with Alan Shearer as caretaker coach, overseeing relegation when Kinnear survived a heart bypass. His return to the club as director of football between June 2013 and February 2014 was characterized by confusing interviews. Kinnear was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2015.
It is not unfair to recall Kinmar’s rude days at St James’ Park. They happened and they are part of his story – and that opening press conference might not have been laughable if he had chosen someone without Bird’s self-possession and clarity – but it would be unfair to bring that to memory.
Born in Dublin, Kinnear and his four sisters were raised by his mother on a council estate in Watford. He impressed playing amateur football with St Albans City when he was picked by Tottenham in 1965. He was just 20 when he was part of Bill Nicholson’s young Tottenham team that beat Chelsea in the 1967 FA Cup final. and he went on to win. two League Cups and a Uefa Cup as part of a Tottenham team that was more solid than the stereotype would have it.
A record of two goals in 196 league appearances for Tottenham tells its own story: he was an old-school goalkeeper whose priority was defence. Teammates liked him for his energy and reliability; he was liked by female fans for his dark looks. Jimmy Hill said he was “kind of happy” in those days. After training, Kinnear and his good friend Dave Mackay spent their time on the beach in Walthamstow. he always swore with abandon.
He also played 26 times for the Republic of Ireland and finished his career with a season at Brighton, but what came next was amazing. Rather than taking the standard route into management, Kinnear worked in Sharjah for several years before serving as national coach of India and Nepal. It was only in 1987 that he returned to the UK, working as Mackay’s assistant with Doncaster.
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It was in January 1992 that Wimbledon replaced Peter Withe and it was there that Kinnear really found his home as a manager. His straightforward style and laid-back approach, often dashing off to watch the racing on TV, made him a perfect fit for a club that was still up and running after the days of Dave Bassett and Bobby Gould. Kinnear was manager of the month three times in 1993-94 when Wimbledon finished sixth, their best-ever aggregate. It was no fluke: they also finished in the top 10 twice in the following three seasons and in 1996-97 reached the semi-finals of both cup competitions.
Results declined after a Norwegian consortium took over the club but it was his first heart attack, in March 1999, that saw Kinnear replaced by Egil Olsen, whose first season in charge ended in the relegation. Neither MK Dons nor Wimbledon have played in the Premier League since.
There was further success when Kinnear, who had been appointed director of football at Luton, made himself manager and, after overseeing the fourth tier at the end of 2000-01, they achieved promotion to the first attempt after a radical overhaul of the squad. Although he saved Nottingham Forest from relegation to the third tier in 2003-04 he was sacked before Christmas.
Kinnear had energy and drive and the ability to motivate players but his impact was shorter and shorter as the game became more tactical. It is probably as a player that he touched the heights, as a tireless and consistent defender at a time when Spurs were establishing their reputation as super-twins. The sadness is that one swearing desire towards the end of his career came to overshadow all of that.
He became almost a clown, a verbal dinosaur, but he was an effective manager and a very good player.
