Ashley Backs Out Of Face-To-Face Meeting And Kinnear Fears The Worst!
Kinnear had previously described tomorrow's trip to Chelsea as "D-day" in terms of his own position at the club, and now his current month-by-month contract is due to expire after the trip to Middlesbrough next week.
Joe Kinnear: "I said it (a meeting) would be after the Chelsea game, but the goal-posts have moved since then.
"Every time it (the club) gets nearer to being sold, a problem seems to pop up, the credit crunch or whatever else.
"They (the club's hierarchy) keep saying we are not that far away, but obviously we have not seen any finances coming up from the American group.
"That is all they tell me. Until something concrete comes up, it is not sold.
"My contract is month to month, so the last game of the month is Middlesbrough.
"Then we start another month if it's not sold. Obviously we'll not start another month if it gets sold this week.
"Who knows? They (the American consortia) have to come up with the money, I suppose, but I only know what you know. It's not easy, but I can't say I didn't know about it when I took the job.
"I think I have the ability to do this long-term.
"I've had a long career, a good career, and who knows where I'd be if it wasn't for ill health.
"When I had my heart attack, I was out for two-and-a- half years, and when you're out, it's difficult to get back. But I'm aware of that.
"Every avenue I tried, it was 'How's your heart?' I was Manager of the Year three times, and that's not too bad is it?"