Chelsea have begun their search for a new manager by contacting Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini, according to the Daily Express.

The news comes after current interim manager Rafael Benitez confirmed he will be leaving at the end of the season after a surprising rant during a post-match press conference following the Blues 2-0 victory at Middlesbrough.

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Benitez has been a hate figure since his arrival at the club and has had to deal with persistent booing and chanting from Chelsea fans due to his past endeavours and comments made at previous club Liverpool.

Therefore it looks as if owner Roman Abramovich is on the hunt for a new man to take over the reins at Stamford Bridge and Pellegrini could be top of the list at this moment in time.

Rumours in the Spanish media have suggested that both parties have held talks over the possibility of the Chilean moving to London at the end of the season particularly with Malaga’s ongoing financial debacle.

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The Malaga manager has also been linked with the post at Manchester City following a disappointing season under the management of Roberto Mancini.

However, it looks as if the Italian will not be losing his job anytime soon with the board seemingly happy to keep him on in the meantime.