Pep Guardiola tells Chelsea they need 10 new players as Roman Abramovich

Pep Guardiola tells Chelsea they need 10 new players as Roman Abramovich and Co scare off potential candidates following Jose Mourinho sacking

Pep Guardiola has been sounded out about becoming Chelsea’s permanent boss next summer, but is understood to have told the club they need 10 new players.

Having sacked Jose Mourinho for a second time in eight years, the Blues board are scaring off potential candidates with the volatile nature of the position.

Mourinho’s sacking is the 10th time Chelsea have dismissed their manager since 2003 and top bosses around Europe are wary of becoming the 11th.

Guus Hiddink will return to the club he managed in 2009 on a caretaker basis but Chelsea’s main focus is on a more permanent fix next summer.

They are long-term admirers of Guardiola, who once turned down the Stamford Bridge post in 2012 after the Blues won the Champions League.

And with the Catalan leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season, Chelsea once again made advances.

But sources close to Guardiola indicate he is not happy with the current state of the squad and is wary of taking such an ever-changing role.

Chelsea have also made overtures to Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone over the past week.

The former Argentina international is now the Blues’ preferred choice to take over after the season’s end, with it costing £15million to break him free from Atletico.

Jose Mourinho has been sacked by Chelsea after a disastrous start to the season at Stamford Bridge

However, Simeone is also reluctant to take the job.

He has a growing reputation as one of Europe’s top managers and fears for his standing in the game were he to take such a volatile position.

A club statement confirmed that the club had 'parted company' with Mourinho, and said results had 'not been good enough'.

'Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent,' the statement read.

'All at Chelsea thank Jose for his immense contribution since he returned as manager in the summer of 2013.

'His three league titles, FA Cup, Community Shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in our 110-year history.

'But both Jose and the board agreed results have not been good enough this season and believe it is in the best interests of both parties to go our separate ways.

'The club wishes to make clear Jose leaves us on good terms and will always remain a much-loved, respected and significant figure at Chelsea.

'His legacy at Stamford Bridge and in England has long been guaranteed and he will always be warmly welcomed back to Stamford Bridge.

'The club’s focus is now on ensuring our talented squad reaches its potential.

'There will be no further comment until a new appointment is made.'

The club also confirmed that their scheduled press conference for Friday has been cancelled.