Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he asked Phillip Lahm and Xabi Alonso to remain at the club in a coaching capacity, but both players turned him down.
The duo called time on their playing careers in May, leaving the Bavarian giants with huge defensive and midfield voids to fill ahead of the new campaign.
Ancelotti was keen to give both an immediate return to football, though after seeing his offer rejected he instead turned to Willy Sagnol to join him as assistant manager at the Allianz Arena.
"I wanted an assistant who knew the club. I tried to convince Philipp Lahm before the end of the season, I also tried to convince Xabi Alonso. They refused," he told reporters.
"Willy suits perfectly, he has the right profile, he has been successful at Bordeaux, and he knows the players like [Kingsley] Coman or [Franck] Ribery, and he will improve our trainer team."
Bayern keeper Tom Starke also bowed out at the end of last season, with all three players featuring in the final-day win over Freiburg.