Close menu

Mick Harford turns down Newcastle for Millwall role

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments155

Newcastle director of football Joe Kinnear (left) and Mick Harford

Mick Harford has been appointed assistant manager at Millwall after turning down a role at Newcastle.

Harford, who joined the backroom staff at the Den last month, was offered the chance to become assistant to Magpies director of football Joe Kinnear.

The 54-year-old played for Kinnear at Wimbledon and was a coach under him at Luton and Nottingham Forest.

"I have declined an offer to be Joe Kinnear's assistant," Harford told Sky Sports News.

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

"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."

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew and chief scout Graham Carr report to Kinnear following his return to the club this summer.

Millwall manager Steve Lomas, who was appointed by the Championship side this summer, expects Harford to be a "great addition" to his staff.

"He's a vastly experienced coach who I have known for many years now," Lomas told the club website.external-link

"I know there was speculation about Mick going to Newcastle because of his past connections with Joe Kinnear, but he's fully committed to Millwall and to doing a job for us here."

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

155 comments

  • Comment posted by mc1805, at 15:16 22 Jul 2013

    Next time on "Newcastle United Street"...

    What will give in first big Joe's health or Pardews pride?...and Mike Ashley reveals himself as a cross dresser with a fetish for cockney ex footballers.

    "Newcastle United Street" bringing original geordie drama to the premier league.

  • Comment posted by User0794990729, at 13:21 22 Jul 2013

    So Joe Kinnear is in charge of hiring what is effectively the chief scout and is also heading up the negotiations? Frightening.

    I don't know what the set-up was like at Newcastle in recent years but they have brought in some very talented players from France for relatively small amounts. Would a Kinnear/Harford combination have really done this or anything remotely as good?

  • Comment posted by jarvish, at 13:12 22 Jul 2013

    A Director of Football does jack anyway - why does he need an assistant?!

  • Comment posted by User0248932503, at 13:32 22 Jul 2013

    It sounds as if there are two separate management structures developing at St James Park, Pardew's team and Kinnear's mob. There can be no happy ending here.

  • Comment posted by User0506775177, at 14:20 22 Jul 2013

    Newcastle United... the gift that keeps on giving

    Arise; Sir mike Ashley

  • Comment posted by User0789889527, at 13:43 22 Jul 2013

    As a Newcastle fan it breaks my heart to say this but I wouldn't touch a backroom staff role at the club with a 20ft bargepole right now. I only hope we retain our prem status during our impending implosion this season.

  • Comment posted by User0526856790, at 13:18 22 Jul 2013

    A very sensible decision I think.

  • Comment posted by elnochedel10, at 13:36 22 Jul 2013

    First time i`ve heard of a Director of football assistant...Newcastle is a good club but Kinnear and his gang are a shambles..

  • Comment posted by theonlywayisoldham, at 13:25 22 Jul 2013

    I'm pretty sure Dave Beasant isn't doing anything??

  • Comment posted by KevinK, at 13:23 22 Jul 2013

    Lets get in John fashanu next , hell why not get the whole crazy gang in.
    Being a magpie im really flabbergasted on why are we apointing these clowns and not hearing more about signings we need espically 2 new strikers as top piority.

  • Comment posted by User0239738912, at 15:52 22 Jul 2013

    If this is the most we've got to look forward to season - the non appointment of a man we don't need / want to support the man we've already got that we don't need / want then God help us.

    I wish I didn't care anymore but it's not that easy.

    Ashley please go away and leave us alone..........

  • Comment posted by You Want Some, at 14:55 22 Jul 2013

    Just when you think things are settling down at NUFC there's always another gem revealed.

    Gazza will be unveiled as social secretary and tour coordinator next! "Ey lads, we're off to Malia for preseason. Fishbowls are on Kebab"

  • Comment posted by User0196749927, at 16:40 22 Jul 2013

    So after Joe Kinnear arrives his sole job was said to be getting transfers "over the line".

    During his first transfer window (the busiest time in his new job) he goes on holiday, comes back to try & get Harford ... fails.

    Why is it we are the only team constantly in the headlines for board & backroom staff?

    They should get their heads down and do their jobs instead of precipitating the circus.

  • Comment posted by David T, at 14:00 22 Jul 2013

    Mick Harford? Dear me, i'm sure there will be another 1980's long ball merchant available, has Alan Cork got his coaching badges? Fash the bash? What a joke this club is becoming, i wonder how long until the Frenchies get fed up and engineer a way to leave like Cisse is doing. Pardew, have you got an opinion?? Are you allowed one??

  • Comment posted by User0677999556, at 21:39 22 Jul 2013

    I wouldnt want either Ashley and his Cockney Mafia or Pardew (a.k.a. the Man with no Say). And the Geordies have got both!

    Best of luck Newcaslte. You'll be meeting Blackburn again very soon!

  • Comment posted by User0044268531, at 14:31 22 Jul 2013

    Thank you Mick Harford for having the common sense not to take the job. I'm a toon fan, he would've been ridiculed from the start and glad he has common sense to turn it down.

  • Comment posted by User0019213320, at 17:11 22 Jul 2013

    Sorry to say this but Newcasle have become one big joke. (Real shame as I still regard them as top club, no offence Geordies)

  • Comment posted by pjdonkin, at 01:13 23 Jul 2013

    June 10-16:
    Sunderland - hire DOF Roberto de Fanti - One of most highly respected directors in Italy.
    Newcastle - hire DOF Joe Kinnear - Aside 5 months at Newcastle out of football for 9 years.

    After 5 weeks in Job:
    De Fanti - 9 First team signings including Italy international winger.
    Kinnear - No signings. Not even any bids. Can't even persuade best mate to join.

    Mike, why do you hate us so?

  • Comment posted by User0939247286, at 14:16 22 Jul 2013

    I'm thrilled to bits at Kinnear getting this job. With Balotelli gone we need a first class loon to fill his boots. Kinnear is already the funniest thing in the Premier League and we haven't seen a ball kicked yet.

  • Comment posted by User0787023611, at 22:52 22 Jul 2013

    For sale to the highest French bidder.
    One famous English Football club.
    French players already signed and delivered, with more to come.
    Dysfunctional senior staff easy to remove, the fans will love the new owner for it.
    English manager is being squeezed out ready for new owner to appoint a french manager.
    Good training club for future french internationals.
    Come and buy.

Top Stories