Legend backs Barca old boy for Blues

Outgoing Barcelona boss Pepe Guardiola could be tempted to take over at Chelsea this summer, according to the legendary Diego Maradona.

The former World Cup winning Argentina captain and coach spoke out on the managerial situation at Stamford Bridge, which is set to come to a conclusion in the near future once Chelsea's Champions League final clash against Bayern Munich is out of the way next Saturday. Interim boss Roberto di Matteo has not been offered a permanent deal, despite his success in guiding the Blues to FA Cup glory and the Champions League final in the space of two months since he replaced the axed Andre Villas-Boas. And, while Italian, Di Matteo, hinted at managing abroad in the future, Maradona feels Guardiola, who ended his spell at the Nou Camp on Saturday evening following Barca's 2-2 draw at Real Betis, could be the man to step into his shoes at Chelsea. Guardiola insisted he wanted a break from football, but Maradona feels he could be tempted to go straight into the Chelsea job if Roman Abramovich makes the right offer. "Pep Guardiola, a brilliant coach whom I admire, has announced that he will take a sabbatical in front of an emotional home Barcelona crowd. But don't be surprised if he quickly resurfaces at Chelsea, should Abramovich make him a huge offer," he wrote in the Times of India.