"I am 51 and been in management for a long time. But at my age, this could be the last opportunity for me to join one of the biggest clubs in the country.
"That is why I had to say yes. I explained my reasons to Blackburn. They were not very happy with my decision but I think they understood how I felt.
"I enjoyed my time there and was prepared to end my career with them before Newcastle came in.
"In football, events can happen suddenly and you have to react quickly - if I had said no I might have regretted it for the rest of my life."
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