Frank Rijkaard could be close to extending his contract at FC Barcelona and put paid to any rumours that he could become a target for Chelsea next summer.
The Dutch coach is still fully committed to the cause at Camp Nou and and remains faithful to president Joan Laporta for the faith he has shown in the trainer, according to Catalan daily Sport.
Reports in England suggest that the arrival of Henk ten Cate as assistant manager will pave the way for the Blues to make an approach for Rijkaard, but that now appears unlikely.
Laporta's mandate as president of the Blaugrana ends in 2010 and he wants Rijkaard to extend his current deal by one year to keep him at the club until the same date.
That would see the former AC Milan star remain in charge for seven years, longer than any other coach in the history of the Catalan giants.
Ten Cate also poured cold water on the suggestion that he could team up again with Rijkaard at Stamford Bridge.
"I have no evidence that he wants to come to Chelsea," the man who helped Barça to Champions League glory said in Holland on Tuesday.
Rijkaard has also been tipped as a future coach of AC Milan, but with Marco Van Basten becoming available next summer, the Rossoneri may turn to him instead.
Having taken over in 2003, the current Barça coach has helped to transform the club and feels a great loyalty to Laporta for appointing him and never doubting his position.
During his first months in charge Rijkaard struggled to turn things around and towards the end of last season there were some that thought his era was over.
Despite that, Laporta never flinched in his belief that the Dutchman would succeed again and backed him during the summer.
Goal.com - Barcelona - Rijkaard Ready To Extend Barça Stay