And the former Magpies boss believes he could have kept the club in the Premier League had he not been forced to step down after heart surgery

Kinnear is now recuperating after a triple bypass, and would love the chance to lead Newcastle back into the top flight if Mike Ashley's proposed sale of the club falls through.

He said: "I have gone from being bad to being much better than I was. I feel as fit as a fiddle.

"I love the game and am desperate to get back into it sooner rather than later.

"Mike knows I'm still available. I'm not sure how far down the road they are to selling it.

"I spoke to Mike last week and he told me there were a few people interested.

"If they don't (sell), and haven't got anyone else, then I'd love to return. My opportunity would be to support Mike and Derek (Llambias)."

Newcastle won just four games under Kinnear before he took ill on the morning of the West Brom game in February, but he said: "I enjoyed my time up there and enjoyed the people.

"I thought I did very well when I was up there.

"I'm pretty sure the run we were having at that particular time would have seen us through, but that's too late now."

After the victory against West Brom, Newcastle won just one more game under the stewardship first of coach Chris Hughton and then interim boss Alan Shearer before losing their Premier League status with a final-day defeat at Aston Villa.

Ashley is refusing to appoint a new manager as he looks to sell the club for £100m, instead preferring to leave the position open so that purchasers can choose their own man.