Harry Redknapp has admitted he was 'nailed on' to join Newcastle before having a late change of heart in January.
Redknapp, who takes his Tottenham side to St James' Park for Sunday's Premier League clash, was offered the chance to replace Sam Allardyce at the start of the year while still at the helm of Portsmouth.
The former West Ham boss looked destined to trade in the South Coast for the North East only to perform a last-gasp U-turn and stay at Fratton Park, before leaving Pompey in October when Spurs came calling.
Kevin Keegan was initially appointed as Allardyce's successor in the North East with Joe Kinnear then stepping in when the former England boss walked out on the Magpies for a second time.
Redknapp said: "I was absolutely nailed on to go at one time, I had really made up my mind to go. On the Friday night I was going to go.
"I went out with my wife and Frank Lampard Senior and his wife Pat for dinner, and I sat down and we had a chat. I just decided I was happy where I was at the time."
Turning down the Newcastle job led to suggestions that Redknapp lacked ambition - something that spurred him on.
He added: "When the Spurs job came, I thought 'I've turned it down once' and had heard people say I didn't want to take a challenge on and didn't want to manage a big club.
"That irritates you because I've always taken on challenges at struggling clubs.
"I thought, 'Well, this is my last chance to manage a big club', so I had to take it.
"I have always taken challenges on. Who else would be stupid enough to leave Portsmouth for Southampton and then go back again?"
While Redknapp has made a huge impact at White Hart Lane, Kinnear has also impressed in the North East and the Spurs boss feels he should be kept on beyond the end of the season when his contract runs out.
"At the time I was surprised when he got the job, everybody was surprised,"
Redknapp said. "But Joe has proved what you can do if you know what you are doing.
"He has gone in there with a bit of common sense, got on with the job and he's turned it around.
"They have got good players and I would love to see Joe get the job permanently."
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