Former Chelsea and Juventus head coach Maurizio Sarri has turned down an approach from Marseille, according to Sky in Italy.
The French club are looking for managerial candidates after temporarily suspending Andre Villas-Boas on Tuesday.
It comes after the Portuguese openly criticised the club’s signing of Olivier Ntcham from Celtic and tendered his resignation to the board.
Marseille are keen to bring in Sarri as an immediate replacement for Villas-Boas but their initial approach for the Italian has been rebuffed.
It is understood the 62-year-old is only considering a return to management in the summer and not halfway through the season.
Marseille may make a second approach for Sarri, who has been without a role since being sacked by Juventus in August. However, the chances of luring him to the Stade Velodrome are slim.