Former Brighton boss Chris Hughton has turned down Stoke City.
The Potters have begun the search for Nathan Jones' replacement.
Stoke are sacking Jones because of his disastrous nine-month reign and they are bottom of the Championship with just two points.
The axe could fall today and the Potters' hierarchy were keen to try and line up a successor before they dismissed Jones.
They approached Hughton, who has been out of work since being sacked by Brighton at the end of last season, but the former Newcastle boss wants to wait in the hope of landing another Premier League job, says the Mirror.
Hughton's refusal is the only reason why Jones is still at his post and he has been a dead man walking since last week.
