Full-time management behind me says Venables

Terry Venables arrives at 10 Downing Street in London, on May 24. Venables claimed he was too old for full-time management and that was why he turned down the chance to succeed Steve McClaren at Middlesbrough.

Terry Venables claimed he was too old for full-time management and that was why he turned down the chance to succeed Steve McClaren at Middlesbrough, the News of the World reported.

Former Boro boss McClaren is thought keen to use the 63-year-old as a senior advisor when he becomes England head coach after the World Cup.

And former England manager Venables has told Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson he no longer wishes to be considered for a full-time position in the Premiership.

"It had not entered my mind to work full-time again, but Steve was very persuasive," said Venables. "If it had been any other club bar Middlesbrough, I would have made up my mind sooner.

"But I had a great time there before and have a lot of happy memories of the area, the club and the fans.

"That is why I wanted to be fair to them now. I know at 63 I could not have committed to full-time Premier League management the way I would five or 10 years ago.

"That sort of job is 24 hours, seven days a week. I think I have had my years as a full-time manager now," quotes the News of the World.