Venables put off by Toon 'uncertainty'

Venables emerged as the surprise favourite to be handed the reigns at St James' Park and while the well-travelled coach admits he had talks with the Magpies, he was not prepared to sink himself into a job he could be relieved of at any time.

Venables told The Sun: "I didn't want to move up to Tyneside and find myself surplus to requirements before I'd even had the chance to get my teeth into the challenge."

He added: "There is one reason and one reason alone why I've turned down the chance to take temporary charge at Newcastle -- time.

"Newcastle United means too much to too many people to take the job on a short-term basis. It demands total commitment and dedication from a manager who is prepared to throw himself heart and soul into the club.

"The way the job was offered to me meant that I might be working at St James' Park for two months, two years - or two weeks. There was far too much uncertainty involved."

United had identified Venables as the man to steady the ship after a disastrous series of bad results and fan protests, possibly looking to a similar firefighting role he performed at Middlesbrough eight years ago.

But Venables believes such a job in not viable given the uncertainty engulfing the club, leaving caretaker manager Chris Hughton in position for the home game against Blackburn on Saturday.

"I was ready and willing to give it a real go but I was never offered the chance to do that," he added.

"All they could guarantee was that I'd be in a job until Mike Ashley sells the club whenever that might be. As flattered and honoured as I was to be approached by Newcastle, in the end it wasn't that difficult a decision for me to decline their offer."