Pep Guardiola has denied having any contact with Chelsea after confirming his exit from Primera Liga giants Barcelona on Friday.
Coach says Blues talks would have shown 'disrespect' to Barca
Pep Guardiola has denied having any contact with Chelsea after confirming his exit from Primera Liga giants Barcelona on Friday.
The coach has said he will leave Barca at the end of the season after an incredibly successful four years in charge, with his assistant Tito Vilanova already announced as his successor.
Guardiola insists he now plans to take a break from the game, but speculation persists that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich might try to tempt him to reconsider.
Spanish sports daily
AS reported a meeting between Guardiola and Abramovich had taken place in Paris in February, but when he was asked on Friday whether that was the case, Guardiola replied: "No. That would have been disrespectful towards the club."
Success
Guardiola succeeded Frank Rijkaard in 2008 and has gone on to become the most successful coach in the club's illustrious history.
He departs having led the azulgrana to two UEFA Champions League crowns, three La Liga trophies, one Copa del Rey, three Supercopas, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups.
But last Saturday's home defeat to Real Madrid means the La Liga title is Bernabeu-bound while their Champions League defence ended with Tuesday's elimination by Chelsea.
Guardiola's final match is scheduled to be the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao next month.
Abramovich is a known admirer of Barcelona's attractive possession game and the Blues are still to confirm a permanent successor to Andre Villas-Boas, although Roberto Di Matteo has impressed in an interim capacity, leading Chelsea to the Champions League final after seeing off Barca in the semis, as well as guiding them to the FA Cup final.
