Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has told Sports Mole that he would like Pep Guardiola to become the club's new manager.

Rafael Benitez was placed in interim charge in November, but he is expected to be moved on by owner Roman Abramovich during the summer.

Guardiola is among the favourites with the bookmakers to fill the void at Stamford Bridge and Leboeuf has insisted that his friend would be successful, as long as there is no interference.

"Of course, but you can't guarantee that Guardiola will do well at Chelsea like he did Barcelona. This is because Barcelona was his home town, he knew the club and he was created by them as a player. That made it easier for him as a coach," said the Frenchman.

"I know Pep because we shared lots of time when we were in Qatar. He's a fantastic guy, really smart and very clever. He has a fantastic personality, but as a coach what are going to be his strengths at Chelsea at a club which has had inconsistency in the coaching situation since Jose Mourinho left?

"If Guardiola has the time to build, I think he has a very good chance to be powerful and successful."

Guardiola is currently out of work, having left Barcelona at the end of last season.