New West Bromwich Albion boss Alan Irvine admits turning the job down five years ago.
Irvine held his presentation media conference yesterday.
"I didn't apply for this job... they came for me.
"I don't know whether it (being so close to getting the job five years ago) had an influence but it was very close for me back then.
"Ironically I was actually here a few months ago doing a presentation for the LMA.
"I was asked 'what's your biggest mistake or regret in football?'
"I said 'not taking this job' - that was back in February this year - and it was in this very same stand that I'm stood in now. I never thought I'd be back here as a boss.
"There were a few different things that came together at that time which didn't feel right but it remains my biggest mistake.
"But I wasn't going to make that same mistake again."
