Claudio Ranieri has told Chelsea chairman Ken Bates he has no intention of joining Barcelona this summer and pledged to end his managerial career at Stamford Bridge.
Contrary to newspaper reports, Ranieri has had no contact with Barcelona, who want to replace manager Charles Rexach in the summer, with the Italian instead focusing on Chelsea's challenge for honours next season.
"Claudio is enjoying doing his job here, he feels that he has turned the team from the one he inherited into his own side," said Bates, who discussed the situation with his manager over champagne and smoked salmon on Sunday morning. "We discussed an extension to his contract for another two years which would enable him to see through the job that he wants to do."
"I'm quite sure Barcelona would consider Claudio as one of their possibilities if they do change their manager, but he ain't going there, it's as simple as that. As he said to me, 'I have a year left on my contract, I am happy here, I like the English way of life, it's hell in Italy and to a lesser extent in Spain as well. You get hounded and have no private life'."
Ranieri told his boss that he would like to end his career in west London. "The other point Claudio made is that, unlike some managers, he doesn't want to go on forever," Bates told Chelsea TV. "He would preferably like to see through the job at Chelsea and then retire rather than start again in another country.
"Suffice to say that he's invited Suzanne [Bates' partner] and I to spend some time with him at his country home this summer. That's hardly the attitude of someone who wants to leave Chelsea."
Bates' disclosure will come as a relief to the improving Chelsea squad, who this morning begged their boss to stay at the club. "He has done a gone job at Chelsea and now people are seeing how much he has improved us in the last year," said Dutch defender Mario Melchiot. "The players want him to stay and, deep down, I believe he will stay to finish off the job."
"He gave me my chance in football and is a great manager," added goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini. "It is good for Chelsea to have him as their manager."
Ranieri and Bates went on to discuss Chelsea's future plans, with the manager keen to continue their current policy of reducing the average age of the squad. His chairman is unlikely to complain.
Bates said: "Claudio wants to bring in younger players who are hungry for success with lots of heart, rather than some of the players we're being offered at the moment. He would like three or four outstanding international players to provide experience and leadership. The rest he wants to be young lions."
Ranieri has always insisted he is happy at Chelsea, but will not even consider signing a contract extension until the end of the season as he is concentrating on the club's bid to qualify for the Champions League. Yesterday he admitted to being flattered by the link with Barcelona, which Bates has also taken as a compliment.
"It's funny really," he said. "First of all there's been a campaign to get Claudio fired and now one of the biggest clubs in Europe want him as he's so good.
"It's very flattering but I would suggest that Barcelona might want to go for Mr Wenger instead."
