Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside made a move for Scotland boss Alex McLeish, just hours before appointing Gary Megson as new manager.
The People says Gartside was tipped off that McLeish, the man who has taken the Tartan Army to within 90 minutes of the Euro 2008 finals, would fancy a move to England.
Gartside made a last-gasp approach for McLeish last Monday, willing to speak to him face-to-face to add his name to his short-list and possibly give him the post.
A top-secret call was made to the former Rangers boss, who came highly recommended by a senior football figure. But McLeish said "right job, wrong time" and turned down the chance.