Sam Allardyce has claimed he turned down the chance of a controversial return to manage Newcastle United.
With the Magpies yet to name a successor for Rafa Benitez, Allardyce, sacked by Mike Ashley in 2008, has gone public with his suggestion he was approached.
He told TalkSPORT: “I was very flattered that I was considered but it’s that thing... ‘don’t go back’.
“It never got to the type of talks people are suggesting but it wasn’t for me.
“I politely said ‘no’.
“I never got to talk to Mike (Ashley, owner of the club). My agent contacted me, I had a think about it and a quick look at the situation
and thanked them very much. It’s not for me.
“Maybe if it was the first time around I would have jumped at it.
“I appreciate the offer but I was surprised, I’ve not worked for a full season.
“It wasn’t something I thought about for too long. I thought it’d be better to make a quick decision for everyone. We’re in pre-season now and they’re back in training.”
Newcastle's first choice to replace Benitez now is Sheffield Wednesday's Steve Bruce.
Bruce will be keen to bring his existing back-room staff of Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence with him to United and the Magpies are also prepared to hand Bruce the same transfer budget that was on offer for Benitez this summer.
