Pep Guardiola will not make a decision on his future before 2013 at the earliest, his agent has said.
The comments by Josep Maria Orobitg will likely not deter Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich from pursuing the former Barcelona coach despite the interim appointment of Rafa Benitez.
Guardiola is currently taking a one-year sabbatical from football in New York after leaving Barca this summer following four hugely successful seasons at the Nou Camp.
The 41-year-old has been closely linked as a possible replacement for Roberto Di Matteo, who was sacked as Chelsea manager in the wake of his side's Champions League defeat to Juventus.
However, it would appear Guardiola is not in any hurry to return to management.
"Pep Guardiola will not decide anything before January," Orobitg told Brazilian website Lancenet.
"I was with him in New York 15 days ago and he told me that he will not decide before January or February which team he will coach or if he will sit on any bench next season.
"It doesn't matter what happens, before that period he will not take any decision with any club nor with any national team.
Orobitg added: "Only he will decide his future, he has the personality to do that. Now he is with his family, resting, reading, enjoying his hobbies, watching football...in January he will start to think about which team he will lead next season."
