ALAN PARDEW insists he would have no problem working with a new director of football at Newcastle United following a week when Joe Kinnear’s resignation surprised him.

Since St James’ Park officials revealed on Monday night that Kinnear’s eight-month spell in the role came to an end after a frustrating January transfer window, Pardew has been trying to rejuvenate a squad deflated by a 3-0 defeat to rivals Sunderland.

Kinnear’s exit has left a void at executive level inside the club, give how he was appointed to create a link between the boardroom and the training ground after Derek Llambias stepped down from his managing director post.

But Pardew is happy for owner Mike Ashley to stick with the director of football model, despite the obvious failings on the transfer front during the last two transfer windows when the only new arrivals were season-long loan signings Loic Remy and Luuk De Jong .

Pardew said: “I am just sorry to see anyone lose their job. He did a lot of good work here but it was the board’s decision and I have to now work towards getting our position in the league more secure and I am focusing on the next game.”

He added: “I don’t have a problem with the position, in modern football. A lot of clubs have them.

“There is so much involved in transfers in terms of the other club, agents, preparations and the finances involved that it goes away from what we did ten years ago and I am old enough now to have been involved in financial part of a transfer.

“That part has gone for managers, and gone for last six years for sure and keeps you in a position to focus on players’ performance, livelihood and personality, settling in and what they will do at the club, that they can play for Newcastle United.

“That’s the side I take care of and our record you have to say is terrific. Look at other clubs what they have spent and we have done very well and will continue to do so.”

While Ashley decides whether or not to replace Kinnear in the long-term, club secretary Lee Charnley will take more of hands on role in discussions and liaise with both Pardew and chief scout Graham Carr.

Pardew believes Newcastle’s recruitment record suggests the Tyneside club is in safe hands.

The Newcastle boss said: “We have a great group of scouts led by Graham Carr, who have always been working in the background.

“We had a list for the last window and will work towards that list we have a lot of work to do because actually this summer we have a few changes to make, with players out of contract and one or two areas we really need to strengthen. I don’t think we are under any illusions we have a bit of work to do.”

Pardew revealed he had not spoken to Kinnear since his resignation but he intended to. What he is keen to do now is lead his team to a recovery after the depressing nature of a crushing home defeat to Sunderland.

Losing to the Black Cats last Saturday for the second time this season, and the third time in a row, sparked protests against the Ashley regime and one fan even tried to hand his season ticket back to Pardew after the third goal went in.

The latest calls for Ashley to sell up stem from a failure to replace the £20m man Yohan Cabaye before the transfer window closed on January 31.

"If you go back to the window before the last two, we bought in five players in that window which no one thought we would do,” said Pardew. “It is not that far back to see when we invested and we invested well in that period.

“Our record is as good as anyone in terms of finance we have available. Mike has made it pretty clear the club has to wipe its nose, as John Madejski used to say, and it has to work within boundaries of the money we have. There is money available this summer and I am sure we will use it.”

Despite this week’s distractions and disappointments, Newcastle remain in a healthy eighth in the Premier League and just three points adrift of Manchester United above.

Such a placing led to Pardew rubbishing the notion that Newcastle’s season is already over, having been knocked out of both the cups.

"I think Manchester United still have thoughts on Europe so why shouldn't we?” said Pardew. "I'm not satisfied with eighth. The most important thing is that I drive the team and we have to drive towards the best finish we can.

“The highest I have finished in the Premier League (as a manager) is fifth, the highest as a player is third and if I don't strive to improve on that, what is the point? So that is my goal.

“In the short term, I have had to lift up this team and that has been a tough job. The important thing for me is Chelsea and it is not a cliche, it really does need to be as simple as that when you are in the position we are in after losing to our rivals like we did.”

Pardew will not have Fabricio Coloccini back this weekend after admitting his skipper could be another “three weeks” from a return. Midfielder Cheik Tiote and striker Papiss Cisse are also unlikely to figure at Chelsea tomorrow.