If confirmed the move will mark a surprise return to the club for Kinnear after a tempestuous spell as manager.
His new role has already been thrown into the spotlight but, asked what he can bring to the Toon, the ex-Nottingham Forest boss told talkSPORT: "I can open the door to any manager in the world, anyone, that's the difference. I've spent my whole life talking to Alex Ferguson, week in, week out, what would you do?
"I can pick the phone up at any time of the day and speak to [Arsenal manager] Arsene Wenger, any manager in the league. In all the divisions."