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Guillem Balague reckons Jose Mourinho has turned down the chance to become Valencia boss, paving the way for Ronald Koeman's return to La Liga.

Guillem feels Valencia will look to secure a big-name boss after sacking Quique Sanchez Flores at the weekend - and the likes of Mourinho, Vicente del Bosque and Marcello Lippi were all in the frame.

But PSV Eindhoven boss Koeman has emerged as the frontrunner after many of Valencia's targets turned them down.

Guillem told Revista: "The chairman will go for somebody with a big name. Somebody who may not know the squad, may not know the Spanish league, but will keep everybody quiet and happy.

"What we're getting here is a long list of wishes. Jose Mourinho and Vicente del Bosque have been approached, but Mourinho has said 'no, I'm not taking it'.

"Lippi is another one they have approached and he's told them to go back to him on November 17 because Roberto Donadoni may be sacked and he may have to take charge of the Italy national side again. But will Valencia wait that long?"

And Graham Hunter confirmed Koeman was in talks with the club and could walk out on PSV as soon as a deal has been thrashed out.

Box seat

"He said: "One of the guys who has wanted to go back to Spanish football for a long time, Ronald Koeman, has finally seen his opportunity.

"He went live on Catalan television to say that he believes he is in negotiations directly with Valencia. He made it very clear that it's been his dream to come back to La Liga and he will walk out on PSV immediately if he's offered the job.

"He's a hard negotiator and a smart man, he wasn't just a very good sweeper. This is a guy who knows how to make a deal.

"It's not done yet, but he is in the box seat to take over from Quique and to try and sort out this hornet's nest at Valencia."