Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas reveals talks with Liverpool before joining Tottenham

Former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed he held talks with Liverpool before taking charge at White Hart Lane, with the Merseysiders appointing Brendan Rodgers instead.

After garnering a reputation as one of the most promising managers in the world, winning the quadruple with FC Porto in the 2010-11 season - Supercup, league title, Portuguese Cup and the Europa League - Villas-Boas joined Chelsea in the summer of 2011.

However, the Portuguese boss failed to make the impact expected at Stamford Bridge and after just eight months in west London, he was replaced by his then-assistant Roberto Di Matteo, who guided the Blues to the FA Cup and Champions League double.

That summer, both Liverpool and Tottenham were looking for a manager, following the departures of Kenny Dalglish and Harry Redknapp from Anfield and White Hart Lane respectively.

And, according to current Zenit St Petersburg boss Villas-Boas, both clubs were interested in his services despite his shortcomings at Chelsea, with him joining the north London side while Liverpool appointed Rodgers.

"I had talks with Liverpool," Villas-Boas said, according to Standard Sport.

Meanwhile, after two unsuccessful tenures in the Premier League, he ruled out a comeback to England in the future.

"Returning to England definitely not in my plans, although life takes many turns..." he said.

"Coaching in England was a positive experience, but also many negative things happened. I was surprised and I still am by the Chelsea chairman (sic) changing his intentions. When I went there in 2011 the idea was to reformulate the team."

Meanwhile, speaking about his relationship with current Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, he said: "Between Mourinho and I there's mutual respect but when you're rivals friendship takes second place."

"It shouldn't happen but that's how it is. I don't look at my time at Tottenham as a negative experience. It was an experience I needed to have."