Kinnear 'to have heart surgery'
Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear 'needs emergency heart bypass'
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Wednesday, 11, Feb 2009 10:26
Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has been told by his doctors that he needs to undergo an emergency heart bypass operation, according to reports.
The 62-year-old - who had a heart attack when he was manager of Wimbledon in 1999, leading to a six-month absence from the sport - was expected to be given the all-clear by medics to return to work.
But instead, Kinnear has been advised to undergo surgery after an angiogram revealed complications in his condition.
Some pundits questioned Kinnear's health when it was first announced he would be taking the reigns at St James' Park last year, following the shock departure of Kevin Keegan in September.
However, at the time, the veteran coach - who has managed Nottingham Forest and Luton Town since departing Wimbledon - downplayed suggestions there was still a question mark over his heart condition.
If Kinnear has an operation, he is likely to be advised to rest at least until the summer - meaning assistant coaches Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood would take joint charge of first-team affairs for the crucial Premier League run-in.
Currently, the Magpies are sitting precariously above the relegation zone - just four points ahead of 18th-placed Blackburn Rovers, who have a game in hand.