Kinnear: N'Zogbia lived in a fantasy world

Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear has accused Charles N'Zogbia of living in a "fantasy world" after the former Toon midfielder criticised his former boss’ capability of managing the club.

N'Zogbia hit out at the Magpies boss after securing a £6 million transfer to Wigan on Monday, with Ryan Taylor heading in the opposite direction.

The Frenchman refused to play for Newcastle after Kinnear called him 'Charles Insomnia' during a TV interview after the defeat at Manchester City.

The 22-year-old claimed there was little communication from Kinnear and insisted he was unhappy with his managerial style.

However, Kinnear has dismissed the 22-year-old's criticisms and said in a press conference: "It's laughable.

"He lived in a fantasy world. There was not a day when he didn't add some Mickey Mouse story about a club that wanted him.

"First of all, he came in and told me Arsenal wanted to buy him, then the next week it was Aston Villa, then the next week, it was Manchester United, then the next week it was Real Madrid, then the next week it was Lyon.

"And each time he came in, he made it clear he did not want to be at the club so in the end, there was only one thing I could do - send him to Wigan.

"I checked out if any of these clubs wanted him and discovered they didn't. I told him, 'You are wasting my time and I don't know why you are inventing all these stories.'

"I think he needed bringing down to earth and I can assure you nobody tried to stop him going."

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