Thomas Tuchel reportedly turned down the chance to take charge at Everton.
Tuchel had emerged as one of the potential candidates to become the latest Blues’ manager following Ronald Koeman’s sacking in late October.
Champions League experience was understood to be among Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri’s key credentials in the hunt for Koeman’s successor.
But Sam Allardyce was eventually appointed to the Goodison Park hot seat despite an extensive search that incorporated several elite-name coaches.
Among them was Tuchel and SportBild have claimed that discussions were held between Everton and the ex-Borussia Dortmund manager over the vacant role.
However the 44-year-old turned down the opportunity to join the Premier League because he wants to return to management with an ‘absolute top club.’
Tuchel has been out of work since leaving Dortmund at the end of last season, having won only the German Cup since replacing Jurgen Klopp in 2015.
Most recently he was also linked with joining Bayern Munich in the wake of Carlo Ancelotti’s departure in September before they appointed Jupp Heynckes.