Guus Hiddink looks all set to take over as the interim manager at Chelsea, but Roman Abramovich is lining up a blockbuster long-term replacement for Jose Mourinho in the shape of Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola and Mourinho are widely considered the two best managers in the world, so if Abramovich can replace the Portuguese with someone equally, if not better, world-class, who will bring the added advantage of eye-catching football, the fans at Chelsea will be a pretty happy bunch.

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Mourinho, though, was a hugely popular figure amongst the Chelsea fans, even after the disastrous campaign that the Portuguese has overseen this season. However, after the manager clearly lost the faith of his players, Abramovich had little choice but to pull the sacking trigger, making Mourinho the eighth manager to be fired during the Russian's reign as Chelsea owner.

Diego Simeone, Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte have been mentioned as possible long-term replacements for Mourinho, but it is Guardiola that Abramovich fancies the most, with the Chelsea owner reportedly close to completing the signing.

"Roman Abramovich is a big Guardiola fan," a source told the Daily Star. "The move to bring him in is already 90% done already."

Guardiola is expected to leave his position as Bayern Munich manager at the end of this season, with confirmation expected next week. Manchester City are thought to be the favourites to land Guardiola's signature, but if the report turns out to be true, then Chelsea would have pulled off a major coup.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Chelsea have spoken to Guardiola about taking over at Stamford Bridge. Guardiola, though, is not too keen on accepting the proposal, as he feels managers are not given enough time at Chelsea.

The Spaniard also believes the Chelsea squad requires wholesale changes, with the former Barcelona manager saying Abramovich needs to sanction as many as ten new signings to get back to the top.

Chelsea are currently 16th in the Premier League, one point off the relegation zone, with Champions League football for next season looking unlikely, which will prove to be another big hurdle when convincing high-profile managers to join next summer.