The war of words between Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd and managers' chief John Barnwell shows no sign of abating after another frank exchange of views yesterday.

After unveiling Glenn Roeder as the Magpies' new boss on Tuesday, Shepherd hit out at the League Managers Association's stance on his appointment and, in particular, at chief executive Barnwell's comments on the matter.

He lambasted the LMA chief executive as 'a union leader trying to stop someone getting a job'.

However, Barnwell responded yesterday, saying: ''He is surprised a union is keeping a man out of work? We are not a union, we are an association."

And, speaking directly to Shepherd, he added: ''As for keeping men out of work, I find it fairly ironic that you and Newcastle, of all people, have taken the moral ground of compassion and job security.

''Your past record for dismissal and termination of managers' contracts speaks for itself.''

Shepherd, who has been furious with the LMA's position throughout his ultimately successful efforts to win dispensation to install Roeder despite his lack of a UEFA Pro Licence, was never likely to allow Barnwell the last word and waded back into the row yesterday afternoon.

''There should be no misunderstanding between myself and John, after all, we come from the same working-class area of Newcastle, so nothing should be lost in translation,'' he said.

''I'd ask John to look up the word union in the Oxford English Dictionary - one of the definitions is 'a club, society, or association formed by people with a common interest or purpose'.

''Now if that isn't a definition of the LMA, then what is?

''I've also noted John's comments about dismissals and termination of managers' contracts but, as John well knows, any manager who has left St James' Park has left with every penny he has been entitled to.

''I've made it clear that I'm disappointed in the stance adopted by John but I'd ask him to take these latest comments in the spirit they are intended.''

* Tottenham's new £10.9m signing Dimitar Berbatov believes he has joined a club on the ''up and up'' after moving from Bayer Leverkusen.

Leverkusen's director of sport, Rudi Voller, the former Germany striker, advised Berbatov to stay another year and wait for an offer from a ''top club''.

But the 6ft 2in Bulgaria international, who was second top-scorer in the Bundesliga last season and looks set to replace Egyptian ace Mido at White Hart Lane, said: ''The club's reputation is growing.

''In the past maybe, something was missing, I'm not sure what, but the club is going up and up and that's why people are starting to notice Tottenham and speak about them.

''I watched Tottenham on television from Germany and I'm very happy to be here with a young team and a club that is building something special. I want to be part of it and to play my part and that is to score goals.

''My new career starts here and it's a new adventure for me.''

Spurs cannot officially register Berbatov until July 1 after he has obtained a British work permit but they have agreed the fee and his personal terms.