Sunday Times journalist Duncan Castles reported last night that Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo has already lined up current Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini as Jose Mourinho’s replacement.
Michael Emenalo's plan to replace Jose Mourinho: Manuel Pellegrini. #CFC #MCFC https://t.co/uVgrp1PRFW pic.twitter.com/toDlWfhVoG
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) December 21, 2015
Pellegrini appeals to Emenalo because the club will not have to pay any compensation to the manager’s current club, as they look to replace him with Pep Guardiola in the summer.
Carlo Ancelotti has been confirmed as the new Bayern Munich boss as of the end of the season, so perhaps the door is open for a move to England, with City looking strong favourites to be Guardiola’s new project.
Pellegrini responded to journalists at the weekend by saying he hoped that Guardiola would one day end up at Manchester City, making the departure of the Chilean appear even more imminent.
Pep Guardiola will work here [in England]. I don’t know if it is next season here, or at another club. Someday he’ll come here [to England].
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.
Castles reports that, according to senior Chelsea sources, a pre-contract deal has been put in place with Pellegrini’s representatives and financial terms have been agreed.
Emenalo is said to been keen on Pellegrini’s relaxed approach to managing, and reportedly urged Roman Abramovich to bring the Chilean to Stamford Bridge before the second reign of Mourinho.
