Sunderland boss Gus Poyet insists he never was offered the job at Newcastle United.
Poyet was linked with Sunderland's rivals Newcastle after Kevin Keegan's exit in 2008, when the Uruguayan's ex-Chelsea team-mate Dennis Wise was the executive football director at St James' Park.
But Poyet said: "There were plenty of rumours and talk about it. Wisey and I are friends so we talked about things without there being any offer.
"It was a friendship and a coaching relationship, so maybe some people thought it was obvious that I would then go to Newcastle - but no.
"I haven't ever been offered the chance to go there.
"We beat them twice in two seasons in the FA Cup when I was at Brighton.
"Now I will be playing them here again soon - it looks like I will be linked with Newcastle for all my life!"
