Brendan Rodgers – the man who is current favourite to take over at Newcastle United if the Magpies pull the trigger and sack Steve McClaren – says he has had five job offers since leaving Liverpool.
Rodgers is the 7/4 favourite to take over from McClaren and his name has been linked to the post several times this season while the current boss struggles.
There was fresh speculation about McClaren’s fate before Saturday’s win over West Brom, which silenced the doubters for a few days at least.
Rodgers, who would surely be keen on St James’ Park if a vacancy arose, says he has turned down five offers to get back into the game.
He told Bein Sports: “I have had five opportunities since I left Liverpool to get back into work, all at clubs I really respect, but I just felt I wanted to take some time out. It is very intense when you are in the game.
“I enjoy the scrutiny, and life of being at the leading edge of the game, but that opportunity that presented itself when I left Liverpool gave me the chance to go away for the first time in five years and sit and reflect on how I work and can improve and I hope my next club will benefit from that.
“I spoke to Huw Jenkins, the chairman, and people I know well, but I made it clear, I was pretty open, Swansea is a wonderful club, and there were also a couple of other Premier League clubs I could have gone back to, but I was open and upfront: I wasn’t going to be available to come into a club before the summer.
“I am open. It is where I feel I can go in and make a difference: a job that will excite me. It doesn’t have to necessarily be at a top club. It can be at home or abroad. It is just about finding the right opportunity, one that will excite me to go in and somewhere I can help make better.”