Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has turned down an incredible £12million-a-year package from Chelsea as he remains determined to take a year off from coaching.
The news that Guardiola is not coming to Stamford Bridge has to increase the likelihood that interim boss Roberto Di Matteo will be give the job on an permanent basis at the end of the season.
It may mean that Chelsea decide to stick with Di Matteo until Guardiola becomes available, because they have been so impressed with their stand-in boss.
Guardiola, who remains Roman Abramovich’s dream hire because of his style of play, was first approached by Chelsea in March soon after Villa-Boas was axed. Guardiola said he was not interested, but Chelsea followed up last week with an offer to make Guardiola the highest-paid manager in the world, as well as give him a huge transfer kitty, but the answer was the same: Nada.
So it looks like the choice for RA is Germany coach Joachim Loew or Di Matteo. The Chelsea players are lining up in support of Di Matteo and it is looking increasingly likely that he will be given the job on a permanent basis.
With the best manager in world football spending a year on the sidelines, I hope the Guardiola to (insert team) rumors do not overshadow any team next season. If Di Matteo loses a couple of games, I can just imagine the knee-jerk reaction from the press (and the Chelsea board) that we need to get Pep here immediately. Those persistent rumors could cast a dark cloud over next season.
