Jose Mourinho wants to bring Cristiano Ronaldo with him if he leaves Real Madrid to rejoin Chelsea

Former Chelsea boss Mourinho is high on owner Abramovich’s list of permanent replacements for the sacked Andre Villas-Boas. Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola is understood to be Chelsea’s dream choice, but he will have to be convinced to walk away from the Nou Camp and then talked out of the idea of taking a year off. Germany coach Joachim Low has also entered the frame, but claims in Switzerland that he met Abramovich at a Geneva hotel yesterday morning were denied. His present contract runs until 2014. Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are front runners for the Chelsea job

Jose Mourinho is set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season Chelsea latest

Mourinho is set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and is already stating his intention to return to the Premier League. His relationship with Abramovich has improved since his Stamford Bridge sacking in 2007 but Mourinho will not make it easy for his former employers if he is asked to return. He is the highest-paid manager in world football, earning £11.2m a year at Madrid – more than double what Villas-Boas was paid at Chelsea – and would want that figure bettered. But even more costly would be Mourinho’s demand to have full control of the club’s transfer policy and his desire to bring former Manchester United forward Ronaldo with him. Like Mourinho, Ronaldo has become fed up with the constant interference of Real president Florentino Perez and is unsure of his long-term future at the Bernabeu.

Real paid a world-record £80m to sign Ronaldo, 27, from United and, after 96 goals in 88 games, would want at least £100m for him. Mourinho and Ronaldo share the same Portuguese super-agent, Jorge Mendes. ***LATEST FROM CHELSEA HERE*** The pair could be targeted by United or City if Sir Alex Ferguson retires or Roberto Mancini misses out on the Premier League title. Guardiola would also be an expensive option as he earns £9m a year at Barcelona.

Abramovich is targeting both men for the Chelsea job Abramovich has been encouraged by the fact Guardiola is yet to commit his future to Barca past this season. But sources in Spain expect Guardiola, 41, to stay for one more season and have been told he is considering a year-long sabbatical if he does go. With moves for Mourinho and Guardiola potentially expensive and complicated, Abramovich may be forced to explore his interest in Athletic Bilbao boss Marcelo Bielsa, who is a strict disciplinarian and would not be afraid to take on Chelsea’s dressing-room egos.