Sheffield Wednesday owner Milan Mandaric tried for Notts County boss Paul Ince before Gary Megson's appointment, it has been revealed.
The People says Ince was targeted by Sheffield Wednesday after they sacked Alan Irvine a fortnight ago.
But the Meadow Lane manager's wages put off Owls supremo Mandaric, who instead turned to one of his old Leicester gaffers, Megson.
The Magpies are precariously placed in League One despite showing better form under Ince than they did under Craig Short, who got his marching orders in October.