Marcelo Bielsa has snubbed two approaches from Roman Abramovich – because he will not speak to intermediaries.
The 56-year-old Athletic Bilbao boss was on Chelsea’s hitlist if they sacked Andre Villas-Boas, as the Mirror revealed last month.
But Bielsa – whose side beat Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday – is believed to have dismissed talks with Abramovich’s representatives, insisting he does not talk to “people representing other people”.
Bielsa has a reputation for being his own man and impressed with tactics that left United's heads spinning at Old Trafford.
Bilbao have lost just three of their last 21 games, hold a 3-2 lead over United going into Thursday's second leg in northern Spain and will face Barcelona in Spain’s Copa del Rey final.