Christoph Freund has decided against becoming Chelsea's new sporting director after being persuaded by his club Red Bull Salzburg to stay.
The 45-year old had provisionally agreed a deal with Chelsea on Sunday but Red Bull we're determined to keep him at the head of their own project.
'Yes, it's true that Chelsea wanted me and we had talks,' confirmed Freund.
'When such a big club asks it not only honours me and the work of Salzburg, it is of course a circumstance that entails personal considerations.
Christoph Freund has turned down the sporting director role at Chelsea to stay with Salzburg
But I've come to the conclusion I'm in the best hands with Salzburg and that a change is out of the question for me.