Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier says Newcastle United were all set to miss out on Alan Shearer - because he wanted to take charge at St Mary's.
Le Tiss, who headed a consortium bidding to buy the League One side, confirmed Shearer was in line for the job.
Le Tissier said: "We spoke to Alan, Kevin (Keegan), Ian Dowie and Gordon Strachan and not all were keen. Gordon wanted to rest after leaving Celtic.
"But Alan and Kevin were both keen and if we had succeeded in our bid who knows what would have happened?"
