Steve Bruce has revealed he missed out on a move to Newcastle United during the Willie McFaul era at St James' Park.
The former centre-back enjoyed a decorated career at Manchester United but was keen on the switch to his boyhood club in the late 1980s.
Bruce even got as far as sit-down talks with McFaul to discuss the move at a North-East service station.
The United boss was rejected as a boy by Newcastle and started his career with Gillingham before signing for Norwich and then Man United.
The new head coach said: "Listen, if I hadn't had a bit of luck and gone to Gillingham then I'd still be in the Gallowgate with the fans now.
"I went away because I had an opportunity to play football and, thankfully, did well.
"I almost got the chance to return under McFaul.
"I had a meeting with him at Washington Services when I was a player but that didn't materialise either!
"I don't think he could afford me at the time."
Bruce then missed out on the manager's job when Sir Bobby Robson left in 2004 due to a loyalty situation with Birmingham City.
He reflected: "I've always wanted the opportunity but the biggest regret I've always had was not taking it after Sir Bobby.
"I should have took it, and I didn't and I regretted it.
"So this time when it came round, I thought: 'I've got to have a crack at this.'
"I've been away a long time but Newcastle is always with you and that'll not change."
Bruce admitted he would have loved to have conversation wit Sir Bobby Robson this week after taking up the huge task in hand at St James' Park.
He went on: "Yeah, I got to know him later on in his life, of course, but bloody hell I could do with a word of advice from him now, that's for sure! "But I'll always be extremely grateful that I had the chance to meet up with him."
Bruce went on to explain why he did not sign for Newcastle in 2004.
He said: "It was the wrong time because out of loyalty to Birmingham and the players I'd just signed.
"This word loyalty gets bandied about now, but back at the time I thought it would be wrong because of the players I'd just brought in.
"I thought it would be wrong if I left.
"But it was a bad decision.
"A terrible decision."
