Former Newcastle United chairman Sir John Hall has expressed his shock at the recent changes at the top within St James' Park.

The Magpies' decision to appoint Joe Kinnear as the North-East club's new director of football has been met with discontent from supporters, as well as members within the game.

Following the appointment, managing director Derek Llambias stepped down from his role after five years at the Premier League outfit.

"I'm shocked at the news that Kinnear has been appointed and Derek Llambias is going," Sky Sports News quotes Hall as saying. "It certainly makes you wonder what's going on behind the scenes at Newcastle United Football Club.

"There's a man in charge there who knows what's going on, but for many of the fans, they will be feeling anger and shock. I think everyone just hopes that it will be resolved quickly because the start of the season is upon us. Unless you know what's going on behind the scenes, it's difficult to know exactly what has happened."

Meanwhile, Alan Pardew has claimed that he will continue as manager of the team.