Dark dealings with Guardiola under the shadow of Wembley
Published:While the gamble on Harry Redknapp becoming the next Chelsea manager continues, the gamble on Pep Guardiola replacing Ancelotti has gone unnoticed.
Having opened in the market to replace Ancelotti at 16/1, Guardiola is now an 8/1 chance to take the Chelsea job and is considered to have the same chance as Porto manager Andre Villas-Boas.
Guardiola signed a year extension to his Barcelona contract earlier in the year but the Spaniard always insists on short-term contracts – this is the second year in a row he has signed a one-year extension – and it is thought the Barca man could be tempted to Stamford Bridge.
The solid support for Guardiola would suggest there are a few whispers inside the Chelsea camp, and like the Redknapp gamble, where the money is going should not be ignored.
With his side facing Manchester United in the Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday, a win for Barcelona – they are 1/2 to lift the Champions League trophy – would see Guardiola lifting his second European trophy in his short three-year reign.
Guardiola’s reluctance to commit himself to Barcelona on a lengthy contract suggests he would relish the chance to manage elsewhere and while the Spaniard is clearly enjoying his time at Barcelona, he has already won everything there is to win.
We may see Roman Abramovich go all out to land Guardiola should he win his second Champions League title on Saturday, and when the Russian sets his eyes on something, he usually gets it.
Chelsea are 2/1 to land the Premier League title next season but Abramovich is desperate for Champions League success and Guardiola would be the ideal replacement for Ancelotti.
Saturday’s Champions League final could have a major influence on the future of Chelsea Football Club and Guardiola would be the ideal signing for Abramovich.
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