Chelsea on alert as Pep Guardiola tells Barcelona he will quit at end of La Liga season and take break from football
Chelsea are expected to make a formal approach for Pep Guardiola to take over as their manager if the Spaniard quits Barcelona on Friday.
Barcelona have called a late-morning press conference, to take place after training, at which Guardiola is expected to announce his future plans.
He has already told Barcelona he wants to leave after four years in charge, but senior figures at the club are still hoping that he can be persuaded to change his mind.
Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, is piling the pressure on Guardiola to quit and take over at Stamford Bridge even though the coach has strongly indicated that he is determined to take a year-long sabbatical from football.
The 41 year-old will not become the next England manager and has not even been considered by the Football Association as a candidate.