Marseille boss Didier Deschamps has revealed Liverpool approached him about replacing Rafael Benitez at Anfield in the summer.
The former France captain, whose side face his old team Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday night, made the admission at the pre-match press conference on the eve of the game. Liverpool eventually appointed Fulham's Roy Hodgson during the close season but Deschamps, who led Marseille to the French title last season, revealed they also approached him.
"I was very proud a club like Liverpool were interested in me," he said. "But the timing was not good."
- Champions
League fixtures / Lampard
out for Chelsea / Rooney out for United
He added: "I was engaged with Marseille, the players and the fans, and I could not leave them two days before the restart for pre-season. I was extremely pleased and happy but I decided to stay and continue my adventure with Marseille."
Deschamps insists the Reds' interest was firm.
"We had a long discussion," he said.
Source: PA
