Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-1018594-20150608074819/@comment-26518343-20150629165051

Jiraiya was offered the job first, before Kakashi. Instead of later offering it to Kakashi when Jiraiya declined, the Leaf actually went to the trouble of searching for Tsunade and recruiting her. I think that pretty well explains how Kakashi was perceived compared to the Sannin.