"It wasn't a risk. These type of opportunities don't come often, especially for those who don't work in Europe. If I was in the same position again, I would probably do it again."

To add to the mystery, Sports Illustrated published a story that Preki was looking to team up with Milan Mandaric to become the head coach for a club that the Serbian millionaire would purchase.

Davis Enterprise - a Californian newspaper based near Sacramento - added more detail with a report that Mandaric targeted seven clubs in the top two flights in England - with Aston Villa the No 1 choice - but a deal failed, leaving Preki out of work.

Yet when asked about the reports Preki said they were " false... not true at all".

And Mandaric himself told The Telegraph: "It was just a conversation with him [last summer] and it was more on his side than mine. Preki used to be my player in America [in St Louis] but it is a long time since I had dialogue with him to be honest with you.

"I haven't spoken to him. I heard he had some interest to come to England but I personally did not talk to him, OK?"