Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has revealed he wanted to sign Nicolas Anelka at Newcastle United over Michael Owen.
The former Red, now pundit, was manager of the Magpies between 2004 and 2006 and guided them to a FA Cup semi-final and UEFA Cup quarter-final in his first season with the club. They spent big money on signings the following summer, including a club-record deal at the time for Owen.
Souness has revealed he instead wanted to sign Anelka, who was playing in Turkey at the time. When asked about the deal for Owen and whether he had a say in the transfer, the Scot admitted former owner Freddy Shepherd had the final ruling.
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He told talkSPORT : "It was the chairman, he chose him, what did you want me to do? The story of Michael Owen, listen who wouldn’t want Michael Owen? He was at Real Madrid, he was a big player at Real Madrid.
"I wanted… who was the boy at Bolton and Arsenal, Anelka - he was at Fenerbahce at the time. I’d met his representatives and he was all for coming, he wasn’t acceptable to Freddie Shepherd, he didn’t want him."
Souness also explained how his time at Newcastle put him off management. He continued: "Yeah, that wasn't the only time that happened there. I found that job...the fact I never worked again tells you how much that job put me off being a manager."
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