Report: Guardiola targeted as potential replacement for Chelsea's Mourinho

Intermediaries working independently of Chelsea are sounding out Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola as the London club monitors its current situation with Jose Mourinho, Matt Law of the Telegraph reports.

These intermediaries, without any direct instructions from Chelsea or owner Roman Abramovich, are reportedly trying to establish a potential framework for a deal to lure Guardiola to Stamford Bridge once his contract with Bayern expires at the end of next summer.

Current fortunes for Chelsea, which suffered its fifth loss of the Premier Leauge campaign Saturday against West Ham, have tempted Abramovich to make a coaching change, Law adds. He could act soon if the Blues continue to fall out of the Champions League picture.

Abramovich tried to sign Guardiola in 2013, when the Spaniard left Barcelona and took his sabbatical.

Those initial attempts failed, but Law indicates Guardiola would still like to manage in the Premier League one day, with London an attractive destination.