"He offered to take me as his number two at Portsmouth when I was at Oldham," Dowie told the Guardian.
"But I was under contract so they wouldn't let me go. I would have gone, probably, if I had been allowed."
"Harry's style has evolved over the years.
"Having been with him for a while I have to say he is a master of relaxing players, he's got sharp wit, he's very passionate about it and he's a good coach, Harry.
"He's always been a very good man-manager. I think the biggest thing you take from Harry is his man-management ability."