Cambridge United boss Jimmy Quinn has admitted he tried to bring Dion Dublin back to the Abbey Stadium but the Norwich player turned down his offer.
Canaries veteran Dublin, 38, started his career with the U's in the 1980s before joining Manchester United.
Quinn told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "I asked him but he's definitely retiring at the end of the season.
"I even tried to get him on loan until the end of the season but he's got commitments to Norwich."
Despite Dublin's age Quinn is certain he could have been successful in the Blue Square Premier.
"He's playing at Championship level and he would play at this level, no trouble at all," said Quinn.
"He's totally made his mind up to go and do the media work in television"
"I was 38 when I played at Peterborough and I was leading scorer, player of the year and in the PFA team.
"I tried to convince him to give it another year, come to Cambridge, but he wasn't having it."
Dublin scored 52 league goals for the U's but Quinn has given up in his bid to add Dublin to his squad.
Quinn said: "He's totally made his mind up to go and do the media work in television, he speaks very well so he'll take to it like a duck to water."
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