Wednesday 4 May 2016 13:44, UK
Guus Hiddink has revealed he was approached to be Leicester City manager this season before Claudio Ranieri.
Ranieri has been hailed for leading Leicester to the Premier League title for the first time in their 132-year history.
Following the sacking of Nigel Pearson in July 2015 a month after securing Leicester's top-flight status, several candidates were considered for the vacant Foxes post.
Hiddink, appointed as Jose Mourinho's successor at Chelsea as interim coach for a second spell in December 2015, told Dutch newspaper De Telegraf: "It is true Leicester asked me for this season.
"But I had decided it was time for a rest, and I wanted to just do nothing."
The Dutchman left his role as Netherlands manager last summer during their unsuccessful European qualifying campaign and returned to Stamford Bridge as interim manager until the end of the season, nearly seven years after replacing the sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Hiddink, now preparing to be replaced by Antonio Conte, also admitted that he decided to come back to work again under owner Roman Abramovich because he wanted to bring "peace" to a club in "panic".
"I do not regret that I said yes to Chelsea," the 69-year-old added.
On Monday night, Hiddink revealed Ranieri called him to thank Chelsea for their role in handing the Foxes the Premier League title.
Ranieri, sacked by Abramovich in 2004 at Chelsea, and his Leicester team were able to secure the top-flight crown when Tottenham conceded a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 in a bad-tempered clash at Stamford Bridge.
