Pep 'will snub Chelsea offer'

Sources close to Pep Guardiola say the in-demand manager may turn down the Chelsea job because he wants to take charge at Manchester United.

Rafael Benitez took over from Roberto Di Matteo as Chelsea boss last week but it is widely believed that owner Roman Abramovich will move for ex-Barcelona head coach Guardiola in the summer.

But Guardiola, currently on a sabbatical in New York after an incredibly successful spell at the Nou Camp, is friends with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and is reportedly keen to replace the Scot when he retires.

A source close to Guardiola told The Sun on Sunday: "The whole history of Manchester United, his relationship with Sir Alex and the way the club is run appeals to Pep.

"Right now, I'd be astonished if he went to Chelsea. He really wants to wait for the United job, even if it means extending his time out of the game."

And The Mail On Sunday quoted another source, who said: "Roman Abramovich has been trigger-happy with managers at the best of times and that's not a plus for Pep.

"When he does return, Pep will want stability, and the events of the past few days show again that Chelsea are not a club that offer a manager time to build anything.

"As far as English clubs are concerned, he's more impressed with the stability shown by both Manchester clubs than anything he's seen at Chelsea."