Alan Shearer says he couldn't turn down the job when Newcastle United came knocking.
The Magpies are currently 18th in the Barclays Premier League, two points from safety with eight matches of the campaign remaining.
Shearer has been brought in, initially until the end of the season, to secure their top-flight future and it is a challenge he could not say refuse.
"I got a call over the weekend off Derek Llambias (managing director) and Mike Ashley (owner) and I went round for a chat," said Newcastle's record goalscorer, who has no managerial experience.
"They kindly asked if I would take charge for the remaining eight games and I asked for a little time to think and spoke to a few people.
"It's a club I love and I, just like many thousands of people, desperately don't want the club to go down and I will do everything I can to try to prevent that.
"It's a tough situation Newcastle are in and I feel deeply for this club.
"I believe I can help it along with the players, there is a nucleus here that can get this club out of trouble.
"They are very good players lacking confidence and it's up to me and the staff to get the best out of them."
The 38-year-old, who has completed all but one of his coaching badges and is still to gain his FIFA Pro Licence, has brought in former Southampton team-mate and ex-QPR manager Iain Dowie to assist him and will hold his first training session with the squad tomorrow morning.
He takes over from caretaker boss Chris Hughton, who himself was standing in for Joe Kinnear who is recovering from heart bypass surgery.
Kinnear was brought in after Kevin Keegan resigned just eight months into his second spell at the club.
"This is for an eight-game spell, I'm looking no further than that," Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"Joe Kinnear is in the job at the moment and recovering well from his operation. I'm here for eight games and eight games only and [I aim] to try to keep this team in the Premier League."