Chelsea's coach Claudio Ranieri yesterday ended speculation over his future by signing a new five-year contract worth more than £7.5m to stay at Stamford Bridge.
The 50-year-old Italian had been linked with Barcelona after the Spanish club revealed he was on their shortlist to become coach in the summer. But he has now pledged himself to Chelsea and given his side the ideal boost before tomorrow's FA Cup semi-final against Fulham.
Ranieri, who joined Chelsea in September 2000, earlier this week appeared not to rule out Barcelona. But yesterday he took only 90 minutes to agree the new deal at Stamford Bridge.
He said: "I am very happy. I want to say thank you to my chairman [Ken Bates]. We have a good squad and I hope to give everyone some trophies."
Bates said: "He will be here until at least June 2007. That will give him the opportunity not to be looking over his shoulder but to plan for the future, which is what we need at Chelsea."
