Despite a history of health problems that currently sees him recuperating from a triple heart bypass, despite FA charge after FA charge, despite the occasional expletive laden tirade and the small matter of failing to steer the club clear of a relegation battle, it is reported in the Daily Mail and the Sun that Joe Kinnear’s job is safe.

Most Newcastle fans assumed that heart surgery would mean the end of Kinnear's spell at St James’s Park, but apparently not.

Toon MD Derek Llambias told the Sun unless Kinnear has "a relapse", his role as manager will be kept open for him. Llambias also revealed to the Mail that so keen is Kinnear to get back to work that the club have had to tell him to chillax and leave things to assistants Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood.

Although that seems not to have worked with reports in both papers revealing that Kinnear is in almost constant contact with the pair and that two hour phone calls are not a rare occurance.

Please concentrate on getting well, Joe. This determination to get back to work is incredible, but it’s making people worry!

Staying in England’s north east The Mirror reports that such is Gareth Southgate's desperation to bring some confidence back to his Middlesbrough side that the squad have been watching videos of the goals they scored earlier in the season.

It shouldn't take too long; Boro have only scored 18 this term, six less than bottom of the table West Brom.

Boro, who are on a run of 14 league games without a win and have only scored one goal in five games, take on West Ham in their FA replay on Wednesday. Maybe Southgate's motivational masterstroke will lead to a goal frenzy...

As you'd expect, the papers carry a lot of post match reaction to Tuesday night's Champions League - all of which is available on Soccernet - but they also carry some managerial mind games ahead of Wednesday’s games.

Claudio Ranieri was already guaranteed a warm reception from the Chelsea fans when he returns to Stamford Bridge with his Juventus side, but his comments in the Independent will not have hurt that prospect.

Famously referred to as the "dead man walking" when everyone knew Chelsea were going to sack him, Ranieri believes even if he had won the European Cup, Roman Abramovich would have still wielded the axe.

"I knew that my days were numbered but I actually liked that. I never gave up, and that is part and parcel of my character," said the Juve boss. Bless him.

The Guardian carry comments from Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who ahead of the clash with Real Madrid has claimed that it was he who signed Raul for the Bernabeu club.

It is a bold claim to suggest that you are the one responsible for signing Real Madrid's vaunted captain and all-time leading goal-scorer, especially as the story involves poaching that striker from city rivals Atletico.

Sadly, for Rafa no one else seemed prepared to corroborate his version of events. Strange.

The Daily Star report that Everton are leading the charge to land Portsmouth's unsettled winger Niko Kranjcar.

The Croatian international has admitted to the Telegraph that he expects to be sold to a Champions League club at the end of the season after stalling on further contract negotiations with Pompey.

And finally the Daily Express has quotes from David Beckham, who if you haven’t heard wants to quit the MLS and stay with AC Milan. The 33-year-old says: "I have not heard from Galaxy, but from what has been said, I gather there could be good news." If you say so, David.