Gary Neville has shockingly revealed how former owner Mike Ashley once offered him the chance to manage Newcastle United.

The former Manchester United captain has seen sustained success following his retirement in punditry roles and most notable features every week on Sky Sports.

The 49-year-old did, however, dip his feet into the world of management with La Liga outfit Valencia, of which he lasted just four months. His tenure also included an embarrassing 7-0 away defeat to Barcelona at the Nou Camp in the Copa Del Rey.

With the Magpies now safely under the ownership of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), chances are candidates with the experience of Neville are unlikely to ever be considered should the hunt for a new boss commence any time soon.

"The more I think about it I took the Valencia job due to the fact I knew the owner," he said via the latest episode of the Stick to Football Podcast. "I felt like I was loyal to him and I felt like I owed him in terms of the business.

"But I had been asked to go to Middlesbrough, Newcastle had asked to speak to me, and a couple of other clubs - Derby I think had asked. All in that previous three years and I'd said no to every single one because it wasn't where I wanted to be. I started my businesses and media career, I didn't want to be a coach.

"I'd said no to Newcastle previously, and I've never said this publicly, it was actually someone from Sky who had a contact at Newcastle who said they wanted to speak to you. I'm not saying that it would have got me the job, but it could have got me the job."