Terry Venables says he turned down the Newcastle United job out of respect to the Geordie nation.

The ex-England boss told The Sun: "Newcastle United means too much to too many people to take the job on a short-term basis.

"It demands total commitment and dedication from a manager prepared to throw himself heart and soul into the club.

"I was ready and willing to give it a real go.

"But all they could guarantee was I'd be in a job until Mike Ashley sells the club - whenever that might be."