Robson snubs Benfica

Robson has managed two Portuguese clubs

Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson has revealed he rejected an approach from Benfica to take charge of the Portuguese club.

Benfica sacked Jesualdo Ferreira at the end of November after a string of poor results - and approached Robson to become his successor.

As manager of Newcastle United, I have the job of my dreams

Sir Bobby Robson

But the 69-year-old former England manager immediately rejected the offer and the Portuguese side subsequently appointed Spain's World Cup coach Jose Antonio Camacho.

"I was sounded out by Benfica - they told me that I was their number one choice," said Robson.

"I knew that if I took the job I would have become the only manager in the history of football in Portugal to have managed the top three teams in their country as, of course, I have also been with Sporting Lisbon and Porto.

"They gave me an hour to make my mind up but I only needed minutes to tell them 'no'.

"As manager of Newcastle United, I have the job of my dreams.

"This is the job of my life and it is also my last job," Robson told the Evening Chronicle newspaper in Newcastle.

Full story: Benfica fire Ferreira

Robson was sacked as Sporting Lisbon coach in December 1993 following a Uefa Cup defeat by Casino Salzburg even though his side were top of the league.

Within weeks he became Porto's coach and led them to Portuguese Cup final glory over Sporting Lisbon and two league championships before leaving for Barcelona.