Didi Hamann has revealed to The Times that he has turned down the chance to return to Newcastle United on the coaching staff. He said that rejected the opportunity ‘with a heavy heart’. The German wants to return to club management.
42-year-old Hamann played at St James’ Park in the 1998/99 season after joining from Bayern Munich. After a season on Tyneside, he made the move to Liverpool. He would win nine trophies at Anfield, including the Champions League.
Hamann, achieved 59 caps from Germany, he has held coaching roles at both Leicester City and MK Dons. He jumped into his first outright managerial role with Stockport County in July 2011. He resigned twenty matches into his stint.
Fabio Pecchia left the coaching staff at the club this summer to become manager at Italian side Hellas Verona. That left a gap in Benitez’s setup. Mikel Antia eventually took on the role.
“Rafa [Benitez] asked me to be his assistant at Newcastle which I turned down with a heavy heart.”
Hamann also played for Manchester City and MK Dons in an illustrious playing career. He was part of the Germany side which finished as runners-up in the 2002 World Cup. At Liverpool, Hamann collected nine winners medals in various competitions.
