NEWCASTLE UNITED'S assistant manager Colin Calderwood is understood to have turned down the chance to manage Tranmere.
The former Northampton Town and Nottingham Forest manager is reported to have been approached by Rovers about filling the post left vacant by the dismissal of John Barnes three weeks ago.
But Calderwood opted to stay at St James’s Park, where he is working as number two to Chris Hughton. The former Scotland defender’s position at Newcastle had been a precarious one with the Magpies up for sale.
But owner Mike Ashley, who took the club off the market last night, has given Hughton a permanent post three months after appointing him as caretaker manager.
Accepting the offer of a contract until the end of the season, with the option for another year, gives both Hughton and Calderwood a degree of security they have not had for some time.
Tranmere are understood to be interviewing applicants for the post this week, although a permanent appointment is not expected to be made until after Rovers play Swindon in a League One match at Prenton Park this Saturday.
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