Micheal Owen has revealed he never wanted to join Newscastle after he left Real Madrid
The former Liverpool striker has opened up on why moving from Real Madrid to Newcastle United became one of his biggest career regrets.
Owen was out of favour in a star studded Real Madrid side back in 2004 and while the England international wanted to be back at Liverpool, Newcastle was the only offer accepted by the Spanish giants in 2005 and he decided to go and join Graeme Souness' side.
Despite his reservations, the 39-year-old became Newcastle's club record signing on a deal he says saw him earn around £120,000 a week when he moved to St James' Park that year.
"My move to Newcastle was one I really regret - I should have followed my gut instincts from the start. I didn't want to go there - my heart was still set on a return to Liverpool," Owen said.
"Liverpool couldn't match Newcastle's offer. From a career perspective, there was no doubt in my mind that a move to the North East was a downward step.
But while over 20,000 welcomed him like a hero for his unveiling, Owen soon realised his relationship with the fans was beyond repair after he re-watched a game back on BBC highlights show Match of the Day.
"When I got home, I switched on Match Of The Day to watch the game and I could hear Newcastle fans, my fans, singing 'what a waste of money!' as I'm being stretchered off,' Owen continued.
"I can't deny their actions that day changed things for me. No longer was I even going to attempt to ingratiate myself with the fans. Instead, I flipped it in a slightly more resentful way thinking, I don't need to justify myself to f****** Newcastle fans."