Joe Kinnear claims he has a huge affection for the fans of Newcastle United, saying 'they have a similar attitude to me'.
The 66-year-old is attempting to build bridges following a difficult start to his new role at St James' Park, where he was recently appointed the club's new director of football.
Last week, he criticised the club's fans saying he was 'more intelligent than them', before hitting back at Toon legend Alan Shearer after he questioned Kinnear's appointment.
Kinnear, who was manager at Newcastle for six months during the 2008/09 season, is now trying recover some lost ground with the fans.
He told The Chronicle: "They are like me up there, they appreciate hard work.
"I am from a council estate and I have been taught the values of hard work.
"A lot of the fans up there have that attitude. They want to see their team do as well as possible.
"When things are not going right, they stamp their feet - and so they should.
"It is part of the culture up there and you have to take the criticism when you do not do well.
"When I was there as manager, I was doing a great job. The team was away from the relegation area but the media were on my back.
"At the end of the day I love the fans up there. I fell in love with them.
"None of the media liked what I said to them. But I tell you, I did not say one bad word about the fans.
"You have to remember you are representing the fans up here. That is what I have to do - work hard to get the club going forward again."
Newcastle won five of the 26 games played under Kinnear.
Poyet was working as a television pundit on the Confederations Cup when news of his dismissal broke on Sunday night.
The Uruguayan, who is appealing his sacking, said on air he "had no communication, no texts, no e-mail" from the Championship club.
But a statement on the Brighton website disputed Poyet's version of events.
It read: "In relation to comments made by Gus Poyet, the club would like to point out that its disciplinary panel considered the matter on the afternoon of Friday June 21 and for most of Saturday June 22.
"The club spent much of Sunday June 23 in discussion with Gus and his representatives.
"For legal reasons we cannot say anything about the content of those discussions but Gus was well aware, before he appeared on the BBC last evening, that his dismissal was pending.
"Given Gus has a right to appeal the decision to dismiss him, the club will not be making any further comment on this matter at this time."
Spaniard Óscar GarcÃa Junyent is favourite to suceed Poyet.
The ex-Barcelona midfielder led Israelis Maccabi Tel Aviv to title glory last season, before resigning.
