Not everyone says yes to Chelsea, as shown by these big names (and some not so big) who said no to the Blues.
General view – Stamford Bridge, Chelsea
Chelsea may have had 14 different permanent managers (and Jose Mourinho twice) in the last 20 years, but they do not always get their man.
In fact many have rejected the Blues and here are seven names that you might not have realised snubbed the chance to take charge at Stamford Bridge.
Sir Alex Ferguson
When Roman Abramovich bought the West London club in 2003 he made an ambitious move to bring Ferguson in from Manchester United. The Scot’s rejection was swift.
Sven-Goran Eriksson
Another early target of the Abramovich era, Eriksson actually met with the Russian in the capital but instead decided to stay with England.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola
With Chelsea’s owner wanting his team to play like Barcelona, it is perhaps little surprise Guardiola has been courted – the latest coming during his year sabbatical after leaving Camp Nou, with the Spaniard choosing Bayern Munich instead.
Jurgen Klinsmann
When Avram Grant was sacked at the end of 2007/08 season, Klinsmann was approached but was already under contract at Bayern – where he was sacked just six months later.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Juande Ramos talks to Gareth Bale (L) during the game
Juande Ramos
Amazingly, considering his poor spell at Tottenham Hotspur, Ramos was approached as a short-term solution when Mourinho was sacked last season but wanted a job with more longevity.
Jorge Sampaoli
The Argentine claims he was approached last summer but instead chose Sevilla because they were in the Champions League; and have since been knocked out by Leicester City.
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock
A surprise inclusion, perhaps, although Warnock was offered the job by Ken Bates back in 1991 when he was in charge at Notts County, but chose to stay with the Magpies.
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