Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata has claimed that former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola would be "great" for any club in the world.

The 41-year-old, who left the Spanish giants in the summer, has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the future.

"Guardiola is a great coach who knows all the players," Mata told GQ magazine. "I think that he would be a great coach for any team."

Despite the club's reported interest in Guardiola, former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was appointed as the club's interim manager on Wednesday.