Newcastle aren't taking the Mick as Harford turns Joe Kinnear down

MICK HARFORD has rejected Joe Kinnear's plea to join him at Newcastle.

Mick Harford won't be joining Joe Kinnear at Newcastle

“It was an honour to be asked to work at a fantastic club ”

Mick Harford

Harford held lengthy discussions with the Magpies' new director of football and owner Mike Ashley at the weekend.

However, the ex-Luton boss has snubbed a return to the club for whom he briefly played during the early 1980s.

He said: "I have declined an offer to be Joe Kinnear's assistant.

"After meeting with Mike Ashley and Joe Kinnear, I made the decision that it's not the right time for me to take up this role.

Newcastle director of football Joe Kinnear

Kinnear has failed in his bid to convince Mick Harford to join him at Newcastle

"It was an honour to be asked to work at a fantastic club and I have the utmost respect for the club and its fans.

"I am currently enjoying a role helping out at Millwall, but would like to thank Mike Ashley and Joe Kinnear for the opportunity."

Kinnear had identified Harford as the ideal assistant with the pair having worked together at Wimbledon, Luton and then Nottingham Forest.

We reckon even Joe Kinnear could get those pesky Aussies out