Former Newcastle United reserve team coach Willie Donachie has thanked Newcastle United supporters for their support following his resignation from the club.

The 62-year-old was initially suspended by the Premier League side for allegedly striking an Under-21 player, and later resigned from his role following the incident.

"What I try to teach the players is to be responsible for your actions – don't try to blame anyone else, and so I'm going to go somewhere else to try to be a great coach," Donachie told the Shields Gazette.

"All I've had is a lot of support and people wishing me well. I want to say thank you to the people of Newcastle who have been very supportive, especially all my neighbours and a lot of people at the club.

"The Newcastle people are tough people, but they've got big hearts. They're really the club – the fans. I've come to love the city and the area around it, but most importantly the people. Now I've got to go somewhere else, but that's football. You can't always stay in the one place. It's a shame it's happened like this."

Donachie first took up the role of Newcastle reserve team manager in 2011.