Julian Nagelsmann's agent, Volker Struth, says the former Bayern Munich boss was Chelsea's No.1 choice to take over, putting him ahead of Mauricio Pochettino.
However, Nagelsmann pulled out of the race in April after growing frustrated with the process - leaving the door open for Pochettino's return to the Premier League.
Pochettino is said to have agreed terms with Chelsea to become their next manager and is set to fly into London to sign a three-year deal in the coming days.
Speaking to Bild podcast Phrasenmaher, Struth said Nagelsmann was right to turn down a 'club in troubled waters, spending a few hundred million euros'.