Toon turn to Hoddle after Tel says ‘no’

Terry Venables has revealed he turned down the chance to become Newcastle's interim manager because the club could not guarantee him more than two weeks work.

Owner Mike Ashley may turn to Glenn Hoddle after Venables said Newcastle "means too much to too many people" for him to sign a match-by-match deal.

Venables, 65, emerged yesterday as the surprise favourite to be handed the reins at St James' Park.

The former England coach admitted he had talks, but was not prepared to start a job that he could lose as soon as Ashley sells up.

He said: "There is one reason and one reason alone why I've turned down the chance to take temporary charge ­— time.

"Newcastle United means too much 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.

"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.

"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 following the departure of Kevin Keegan.

But Venables believes such a job is not viable given the uncertainty engulfing the club.

Chris Hughton will again be in charge for the home game against Blackburn tomorrow after which a Nigerian consortium are expected to issue a statement about their plans to buy Ashley out.

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