TERRY VENABLES: Pep won’t take the Blues job... and Jose is the reason why

Posted Saturday, March 24, 2012 by The Sun

TERRY VENABLES: Pep won’t take the Blues job... and Jose is the reason why
HE'S BEHIND YOU ... but Jose sits out front in La Liga race

THERE is one man who will stop Pep Guardiola from quitting Barcelona this summer to join Chelsea.

I am not talking about Barca president Sandro Rosell, even though he will undoubtedly do everything in his power to try to keep his outstanding coach at the Nou Camp.

Nor am I referring to Chelsea's Roman Abramovich, whose reputation for ruthlessly axing bosses is bound to make any prospective new candidate, even Guardiola, think twice about filling what has become the hottest hotseat in football.

Both of these kingmakers will hope to exert their huge power and influence on Grandmaster Guardiola as he ponders his next big move.

But I reckon a Portuguese fella previously employed by both clubs will ultimately have the final say in whether the super successful Spaniard sticks or twists.

Jose Mourinho.

The Special One has long been accused of being the spectre hanging over a succession of Chelsea chiefs.

Avram Grant, Big Phil Scolari, Carlo Ancelotti and Andre Villas-Boas were all shown the door at Stamford Bridge arguably because they could not hold a candle to their predecessor. It is ironic then Mourinho could now scupper the appointment of Guardiola as the Blues' next boss. How? Let me explain...

Having spent four years at the helm of Barcelona, I can understand why Guardiola would be looking for a new job. He has already taken the Catalan giants to a different world in terms of football.

And he has won everything there is to win.

He is only 41 and he will need a new challenge in the not-too-distant future. A Premier League club would be the next obvious mountain.

But I also believe Guardiola would want to bow out at Barcelona at the top. Of Europe. Of the world. And, most importantly, of La Liga.

They are currently second to Mourinho's Real Madrid, who look on course to finish as champions. If that happens, I cannot see Guardiola turning his back on Barcelona, even if they beat their El Clasico rivals to win the Champions League.

Guardiola is a natural competitor as well as a super-natural coach. He'd surely not want to walk away after losing his La Liga crown.

It is a shame for Chelsea because I think Guardiola would be the perfect choice for them. Or any top club in Europe for that matter.

What he has achieved since being appointed as Barcelona coach in 2008 is phenomenal. Three successive La Liga titles, two Champions League crowns, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups tells the story of his reign.

He has not only turned Barca into the best football team on the planet.

He has altered the perception of the sport, showing you no longer have to spend a fortune or select six-foot sprinters to secure success. Under his stewardship, the Catalans have become the standard-bearers for the way the Beautiful Game should be played.

Look in the dictionary under football and it should simply read: Barcelona. If he were to take over at Chelsea, it would be a completely different job.

But that would be part of the attraction for him. He needs something different on his CV to display his attributes as a well-rounded coach.

I don't know whether he would want a year off first, but it would be interesting to see how he would build a new team at Chelsea — even a new culture — while still acquiring the results to keep him in employment.

Abramovich and his senior players might even have to change their philosophies to accommodate him.

Interim-manager Roberto Di Matteo is doing a great job, despite Wednesday's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City.

Of course, Guardiola would be Abramovich's first choice — but then he would be most of Europe's first choice.

I can see the Barca coach managing Chelsea one day. Just not yet. I do not think he would want to quit with Jose's hands on the Spanish title.