New Huddersfield Town boss Neil Warnock revealed it was only going to be the Terriers or Cardiff City would have got him out of retirement.
Warnock, 74, was this week appointed manager of the Championship strugglers, who will be fighting tooth and nail with the Bluebirds to remain in the second tier between now and the end of the season.
He was heavily linked with a return to Cardiff City Stadium following the sacking of Mark Hudson, and remained favourite for the job for some time, despite the veteran retiring from management after his spell with Middlesbrough came to an end.