Eddie Howe has turned down the chance to become the next Sheffield United manager, reports The Daily Record.
They say Blades owner Prince Abdullah identified Howe as the right man to succeed Chris Wilder at Bramall Lane.
The 43-year-old has been out of work since leaving Bournemouth at the end of last season following two successful stints stretching back to 2012.
During that time Howe guided the Cherries from League Two to the Premier League. It was this impressive track record that drew the United hierarchy to him.
However, they’re not the only top flight side in England interested in Howe.
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Another unnamed club are also thought to have been knocked back. The report doesn’t name them, but does specify that it’s not Newcastle United.
The Sun previously claimed that Crystal Palace were keen on appointing Howe.
Why Eddie Howe rejected Sheffield United
The reason Howe is not interested in succeeding Wilder in the Blades dugout is because he wants the Celtic job.
The Scottish giants have been without a boss since sacking Neil Lennon in Feburary.
Claims that Howe wanted to remain working in England appear to be wide of the mark. His representatives are in talks with the Bhoys about him taking charge.
Those discussions are expected to be stepped up in the coming days.
It leaves United missing out on their apparent top target. Howe has been linked with the South Yorkshire team ever since Wilder left last month.
His assistant during his time with Bournemouth, Jason Tindall, is already in place at Bramall Lane.
Tindall is assisting caretaker Paul Heckingbottom until the end of the season.
The 43-year-old succeeded Howe at the Vitality Stadium ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, although only lasted six months before being sacked.
There were suggestions the pair could reunite at the Blades, but that now looks unlikely. Instead, Tindall is being considered as boss in his own right.
