Chelsea 'keen to appoint Manuel Pellegrini as new manager' - report

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich apparently views the Chilean coach as a safe pair of hands to succeed Mourinho, according to Fox Sports.

Former Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink has been appointed at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season, but Pellegrini is apparently the man Abramovich wants to install next summer rather than Juande Ramos, who has also been linked with the Chelsea post.

"In a succession plan drawn up by the Premier League club's technical director Michael Emenalo, Pellegrini will move from Manchester City to Stamford Bridge in the summer at the end of Guus Hiddink's second spell as Chelsea's caretaker coach," says the report on Fox Sports.

Pellegrini looks set to be replaced by outgoing Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola in the summer - and would view the Chelsea role as the ideal position for his credentials having already led City to the Premier League and League Cup over the past two years.

Pellegrini could apparently be hired without paying City compensation, and his reputation for enjoying attacking football would also appeal to Abramovich after Mourinho's approach went badly wrong in his second stint in the job. Carlo Ancelotti will replace Guardiola at Bayern.

"Pep Guardiola will work here (in England)," Pellegrini is quoted as saying over the weekened.. "I don't know if it is next season here, or at another club. Someday he'll come here [the Premier League)

"And I hope he will have the option to work at Manchester City. I say that because I love this club and I hope, in the future, he can work here also. I am sure he will be very important for the club."