QPR manager Harry Redknapp has revealed that he had a fantastic offer from Ukraine to take charge of their national team.

However, a phone call on Friday changed all that and he was announced as the new R’s boss on Saturday.

“It was a fantastic offer,” he said. “They were great people.

“I had meetings with them in London. It was a great chance for me.

“I decided that the Premier League was where I want to be.

“If this hadn’t had come up I would have gone. It was an interesting job, believe you me.

“I’d have good young players to work with. It was interesting.”

The new QPR manager paid tribute to the club’s board and described them as ‘nice people.’

“This came up and once I got the offer to come to QPR my mind was made up,” he added.

“This is a good club and we just need a lift now. The people that own this club are fantastic people.

“I’m not just saying that – they’re nice people who deserve success.

“They don’t deserve to be where they are. They put so much in in the summer. They brought loads of players in.

“They’ve done so much work. They are nice people. When I met them and spoke to them.

“I knew what I was coming to with them. I could never walk away. They found it very hard to let Mark go. They’re not ruthless people, they’re nice people.”