Ranieri for Barca?

The news comes shortly after Ranieri revealed that he is considering an offer by Ken Bates to renew his contract. Barcelona have even confirmed that Ranieri is on their managerial shortlist and Ranieri said, "It is very flattering when your name is mentioned in relation to a club like Barcelona. At the same time, these stories do not distract me from my objectives of giving my all to Chelsea to achieve fourth place in the Premiership and reach the FA Cup Final."

And Chairman Ken Bates moved quickly to deny the rumours, insisting "Claudio is enjoying doing his job here. He feels that he has turned the team from the one he inherited into his own side. We discussed an extension to his contract for another two years which would enable him to see through the job that he wants to do."