Hugo Rodrigues has revealed former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson came to his home in Portugal to try and get him to re-sign.
The giant defender had seen out his contract at the end of the 2003-04 season, the club’s first in the Football League, and returned to his home country.
Johnson met with Rodrigues and his family ahead of going to watch Latvia draw 0-0 with Germany in Porto during Euro 2004.
Speaking to the Gloverscast in an interview which will be broadcast on Monday, he said: “I remember sitting down outside my parents’ place and saying ‘Gaffer, thankyou for everything, but I can’t go back.’
“It is not about money, I just can’t (leave my family), and he said to me ‘I understand, I have seen you and your family and I understand your decision.'”
Hugo, now 41, spent just one season in England playing 34 times for Yeovil before returning to Portugal where he retired from football.
Don’t miss tomorrow’s Gloverscast to hear our interview in full with Hugo.