Barcelona's Pep Guardiola dismisses link to Chelsea vacancy

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG

  • Venue: Stamford Bridge
  • Date: Wednesday, 18 April
  • Kick-off: 1945 BST

Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, live text commentary on BBC Sport website

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has dismissed speculation linking him with the Chelsea manager's job ahead of Wednesday's Champions League meeting.

Guardiola, whose Barcelona contract expires this summer, is one of the favourites to be Andre Villas-Boas's permanent successor at Stamford Bridge.

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“I just want to focus on the game. This is a dream come true, to be here ahead of this great game”

Pep Guardiola

But he has played down the prospect of joining Wednesday's opponents as he prepares for the semi-final first leg.

"It is fantasy, it's hypothetical," Guardiola said.

"I am coach of Barcelona now and they [Chelsea] have a good manager [Roberto di Matteo] who is getting unbelievable results.

"It's not useful for Chelsea or for Barcelona to talk about that. There is no time to talk about that."

Although Di Matteo has impressed since stepping up to the role of interim manager following Villas-Boas's dismissal last month, Guardiola has been linked consistently with the job.

Ahead of his team's fourth successive Champions League semi-final, Guardiola was also reluctant to discuss whether he will extend his stay at the Nou Camp.

He added: "I just want to focus on the game. This is a dream come true, to be here ahead of this great game.

"I just want to make sure my players are focused on the game and can enjoy playing matches like that."