Llambias speculation and Kinnear's exit factors

Llambias left Newcastle United just days after Kinnear's arrival in June last year, but it is understood he and Mike Ashley are on good terms.

As managing director it was Llambias who conducted the club's transfer business, and he implemented a policy of investing in young players with potential.

Yohan Cabaye arrived at St James' Park from Lille for £4.3million during the summer of 2011 and departed for Paris St Germain last week in return for around £20million.

It was that sale, and the failure to replace Cabaye when bids for Lyon's Clement Grenier and Montpellier's Remy Cabella were dismissed which were factors in his departure.

Kinnear, a far from popular appointment in the first place, had asked to be judged on his signings.