Mike Ashley wants to stay in football after selling Newcastle United .
But the Sports Direct magnate is unlikely to go for a Premier League club after realising he does not have the financial muscle to compete.
After 10 years Ashley is looking to exit St James’ Park and listen to offers for the Tyneside club.
But an aide said: “Sometime in the future Mike wants to have another go as a club owner but he is talking about maybe rescuing a club in football’s lower reaches.
“He knows he’s not at the races when it comes to the big clubs.”
Ashley has so far been encouraged by the interest in Newcastle from investor Amanda Staveley who is representing Middle East interest.
But Sunday Mirror Sport can reveal there are three other “big hitters” who have registered an interest.
And the insider added: “Mike will only sell to the people he thinks will be good for the club. It’s not all about the money.”