The former Bayern Munich coach had been unimpressed with the club's courtship of other managers and wanted a more straightforward appointment.

It is understood the club's due diligence on the 35-year-old came back "mixed to negative" leading to scepticism about his suitability as the permanent successor to Graham Potter.

He had not been the preferred candidate of the hierarchy during the search despite being one of the first names to be linked with the job following Potter's removal, and talks between the parties have now ended for good.

It leaves Burnley manager Vincent Kompany and ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino as two of the three coaches under consideration, with Kompany having emerged as a surprise candidate on Friday.

Planet Sport understands a third coach remains in the running, someone who is "respected and liked" but whose name has not publicly been linked with the role.

Former Manchester City captain Kompany is in his second job in management at Turf Moor, following an unsuccessful spell at Anderlecht in Belgium, and has led the club to an immediate Premier League return. They will be crowned Sky Bet Championship winners with victory against QPR on Saturday.

Former Spain boss Luis Enrique, an early favourite for the job after impressing club officials in his first face-to-face meeting, dropped out of consideration last week. It is understood the club were put off by demands made by the 52-year-old.

Planet Sport understand there is no favourite currently from among the three and that the process, being conducted by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, remains ongoing.

Interim boss Frank Lampard, who has lost all four matches since being appointed two weeks ago, is still expected to be in charge of the team until the end of the season.

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