Mark Warburton and Gus Poyet reportedly both turned down the Leeds United job before it was offered to Uwe Rosler.
The Whites are expected to dismiss current coach Neil Redfearn and announce former Brentford and Wigan Athletic boss Rosler as their new head coach this afternoon.
However, the 46-year-old was not their primary target, according to The Sun.
The report claims that Warburton was the first to turn the job down after holding talks with the Yorkshire club as the Brentford boss was reluctant to work with Redfearn's coaching staff, while Poyet also declined the opportunity to take charge.
Warburton, who will leave Brentford this summer, has been linked with a host of managerial roles, while Poyet has been out of work since being sacked by Sunderland in March.
Leeds finished 15th in the Championship this season.