Glenn Hoddle has denied Tottenham made an illegal approach to lure him to White Hart Lane from the Dell.
When asked about Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe's claimhe was poached by Spurs, the former England boss said: "It's not true, I can put that on record.
"There was no poaching. Tottenham approached Rupert and then I got a telephone call from him asking me if I wanted to talk to them.
"I think that maybe he is trying to deflect that.
"If it was true it would be a stain on my character but it is not true so I can live with myself."
Lowe has opened talks with the Premier League as he considers making an official protest against Tottenham over the manner of Hoddle's switch.
Lowe held preliminary discussions with Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore last week and is now drawing up a timetable of events leading to Hoddle's move to White Hart Lane to decide if they have a case.
The Saints chairman is furious at the way he claims Tottenham conducted themselves after targeting Hoddle as George Graham's replacement.
He accused them last week of being "a group of north London yobbos".
Lowe finally agreed a compensation package with Tottenham vice-chairman David Buchler five days after Hoddle announced he was leaving the Dell to return to his former club.
But Lowe believes Spurs broke all four clauses in the Premier League's code of conduct over the poaching of managers and is now deciding whether to make a complaint.
PA