Unai Emery has opened up on talks held with Everton over becoming the Blues manager.
Emery claims there were lengthy discussions with The Toffees after he parted company with Arsenal.
Majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri was looking for a manager to fit his vision for the club in the wake of Marco Silva’s dismissal around the same time.
The ECHO understands Emery was one of the candidates under consideration and did meet with Everton.
Emery said: “[Everton] was interested in me. I thought about it. I didn't say no, we had a three-hour conversation.
"They already loved me when I went to PSG."
Emery won the Europa League three times in a row with Sevilla, before winning Ligue 1 with PSG.
But the former Gunners boss says he was keen to spend some time away from the game in the immediate aftermath of an unhappy period for both Arsenal and Emery - insisting that he did not outright reject the Blues.
He said: “I want this break to be a reflection. My first idea is to stay here in Madrid and go to Valencia and London. Then also visit my family in San Sebastian.
“I have interested teams but I have not had any firm offer to return to training.”
The Spaniard also stated that he maintains a preference for his next job to be in his home country, though he may not have that option and does not wish to rule anything out.
Everton appointed Carlo Ancelotti following a period of interim management by assistant coach Duncan Ferguson.
The Italian is a three-time Champions League winner as a manager, and claimed a Premier League and FA Cup double with Chelsea during his time in charge of the London club.
