Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has revealed he thought he had the Newcastle United job in 2008.

Tony Jimenez, Newcastle's vice-president, and Paul Kemsley, a trusted friend of Mike Ashley's, were among the select few who met the then Portsmouth boss in a London office after Sam Allardyce was sacked in January, 2008.

Although Redknapp never spoke to Ashley, the Londoner did not require a sales pitch from the billionaire.

"I must admit it looked like I was going to make the move and then, late on, I decided to stay where I was to be honest," Redknapp told ChronicleLive.

"I know what a football club it is. OK, they haven't won a trophy since God knows how long - since the Fairs Cup - but the club is only as good as its fans and they are great fans.

"It was a big club and a great fanbase. If you could go there and bring success to the club, you would be an absolute hero. There is no doubt about it. That was the big thing for me. If you could go there and be successful, it would be amazing."