Scot says he would not have been able to return to his homeland had he taken on the role.
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Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed in his newly released autobiography that he was twice offered the chance to manage the English national team, although it took him all of “ten seconds” to reject The Football Association (FA), according to reports in the Daily Mail.
The legendary Scottish trainer, who retired from his role as manager of the Red Devils at the end of last season after more than 26 years in charge at Old Trafford, says in ‘Ferguson: My Autobiography’ that the English FA approached him on two separate occasions to ask him to take control of the Three Lions.
The first came in 1999 following the departure of Glenn Hoddle from the post and before the appointment of Kevin Keegan as the national coach.
And the second time was after Keegan left the job after England had lost 1-0 to Germany in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in what was the final match to ever be played at the old Wembley Stadium in October 2000.
However, on both occasions the 71-year-old rejected The FA’s overtures, with Fergie explaining in his new book: “It was my great opportunity in life to relegate them. There was no way I could have taken the job. Adam Crozier was the first one to come. We met at Old Trafford and he made an offer.
“It didn’t take me long [to turn it down] – ten seconds. I thought about it for ten seconds. Never in a million years could I manage England. Think of me going back to Scotland. Dearie me.”