Chelsea can snap up Pep Guardiola, just not this summer
Published:Despite plenty of support in the next Chelsea manager betting, it seems Pep Guardiola will remain at Barcelona for at least another year.
In the run-up to the Champions League final there were whispers suggesting Guardiola could call time on his Barcelona career and move to Stamford Bridge should he lift the trophy.
The whispers were pretty strong with Guardiola being backed from 16/1 into his current next Chelsea manager odds of 11/4, but it seems Chelsea are set to miss out on the Barcelona manager this summer.
Having lifted the Champions League trophy twice in three seasons, it’s unsurprising that Abramovich has set his sights on Guardiola taking over from Carlo Ancelotti.
But in the aftermath of his sides Champions League victory, Guardiola promised to see out the remaining 12 months of his contract.
“I have another year on my contract and I intend to work it out,” said Guardiola.
“But I have to look inside me. I am happy to be here as coach of these guys, but it is not an easy job.”
Guardiola has never committed himself to Barcelona for the long term and Abramovich can be confident that he can snap up the talented manager next year.
Which puts Guus Hiddink in a strong position to take over from Ancelotti at 6/4.
Having already played a caretaker manager role at Chelsea before, Abramovich will be hoping he can lure the Dutchman into taking charge for a year before going after Guardiola next season.
Hiddink’s reluctance to take on a club role full time is the reason he’s not already signed on the dotted line and it may be a year in charge of Chelsea is just what the Dutchman is looking for.
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