Paul Gasciogne reveals he snubbed Manchester United for Tottenham because Spurs gave him a house and his sister a sunbed

Gascoigne is publicising his new film 'Gascoigne' and has looked back over his playing career

Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne at the premiere of his new film (Getty Images)

Paul Gascoigne has explained that the reason he chose to join Tottenham rather than Manchester United because Spurs offered to give him a house – and his sister a sunbed.

Gascoigne has appeared in the media this week ahead of the DVD release of his film ‘Gascoigne’ on Sunday. In an appearance today on BBC Five Live, the former England football addressed his issues with alcohol, the difficulty he endured after retirement and what it was like to be Paul Gascoigne.

He also looked back on his playing career, and in particular why he chose to join Tottenham over Manchester United in 1988. The Newcastle-born midfielder left the Magpies to move to London after the White Hart Lane club were able to offer something that Sir Alex Ferguson’s United were not, but despite never winning the Premier League, ‘Gazza’ did not regret the decision.

“No not really,” Gascoigne answered when asked if he regretted snubbing United. “At that time we [Spurs] finished higher. When Spurs offered my family a house and they wouldn’t match it I wanted to look after my mum and dad.

“They offered my sister a sunbed, a sunbed in the contract, which she got,” Gascoigne added.

“It was probably my sister’s sunbed they [United] couldn’t afford. She should have got a spray tan and I would have a few more medals,” he joked.

Gascoigne in action for Spurs in 1989 (Getty Images/Getty Images)

Gascoigne was also asked whether he believed the guidance of Ferguson had he joined United could have prevented some of his troubles that he experienced after hanging up his boots.

“I’ll have to have a word with Rio Ferdinand, how did he get out of that trouble he was in, or Ryan Giggs, or Wayne Rooney, or Norman Whiteside,” he said. “I mean, Sir Alex Ferguson, who wouldn’t want to work for him.”

Gascoigne, who played 57 times for England and scored 10 goals for his country, was widely regarded as one of the most gifted players to ever pull on the Three Lions shirt. As a result, the current best in the Premier League can sometimes be compared with Gascoigne, and it’s something that he still enjoys.

“I’ve got [Steven] Gerrards right toe, [Lionel] Messis left toe, [Wayne] Rooneys hair,” he joked. “They’re great players. They say nice things to Terry [Baker, his agent] which is brilliant.”

Paul Gascoigne attends the Premiere of 'Gascoigne' (Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

However, he added that after retirement, he was at a loss at what to fill his time with. After beginning his training for his coaching badges, Gascoigne applied for the vacant manager’s role at York City, and was stunned when he discovered that he had the competition of 70 others for the job.

“I applied for the coaching job at York, and had nearly finished my badges, and they said ‘alright Paul, we’ve got 70 other managers to interview’. “Some were Premiership managers, and they were in the fourth tier. I thought ‘wow’.”