Ince: Magpies' offer to Venables was disrespectful
Ince thinks Venables was right to turn down Newcastle's offer
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Newcastle United have appointed former Wimbledon boss Joe Kinnear as their interim manager until the end of October. |  |
Saturday, 27, Sep 2008 12:56
Blackburn Rovers manager Paul Ince has condemned Newcastle United's offer of a short-term contract to Terry Venables, claiming it was "disrespectful".
The Magpies have been without a manager since Kevin Keegan resigned at the start of the month and have failed to win since his departure.
Owner Mike Ashley was desperate to install somebody to take charge, but only on an interim basis as he is trying to sell the club following protests from the Toon Army - United's vocal fanbase.
Yesterday Venables rejected the chance to take over at St James' Park until the end of October and Ince says he was right to do so.
Rovers face the Magpies today, although coach Chris Hughton will be in charge for the match rather than Joe Kinnear – who did accept Ashley's offer after Venables had turned it down.
"When I heard Terry's name being mentioned this week, I did think that I'd be going up against him at Newcastle today," Ince said.
"But I'm also not surprised that he has turned the offer down because it's disrespectful and a bit of an insult to a coach of Terry's calibre to ask him to do the job for five or six weeks."
Ince says he does not blame Ashley for trying to get Venables in as he is sure the former Spurs and Barcelona boss could have helped.
But the Rovers manager thinks Venables should have been offered something better than the month-long contract that was put in front of him.
He said: "You don't offer somebody of his class such a short time to do a job, although he is so good at what he does, he would probably have made a difference.
"I worked with Terry at Euro '96 and during his spell at Middlesbrough and it was a privilege to play for him."
Ince will hope to capitalise on Newcastle's poor form since the departure of Keegan to add to his own team's Premier League points tally.
Rovers are seeking their second away win in the league this season having beaten Everton 3-2 on the opening day.