German newspaper 'Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung' reported on Sunday that Tuchel's agent Olaf Meinking said "Thomas is not going to Bayer Leverkusen."

The 43-year-old coach will consider his future after a holiday and might wait for up to six months before making a decision. Working in a foreign league is also a possibility, Meinking said.

Tuchel was dismissed by Dortmund shortly after their German Cup final win over Eintracht Frankfurt in May after a rift developed between him and BVB's top brass, particularly in relation to the club's handling of the fallout from the attack on their bus in April.

Dortmund have yet to name a successor to the former Mainz boss, though Ajax head coach Peter Bosz is thought to be a strong favorite at this stage.

The news will be a big blow to Leverkusen, who struggled badly in the Bundesliga this term, eventually finishing 12th after flirting with relegation for much of the campaign.

The Werkself dismissed Roger Schmidt in March but his replacement Tayfun Korkut brought no real improvement and was let go at the end of the season.

mp (DPA/SID)