They said: "Contrary to media reports this morning, Chelsea Football Club totally refutes that the job of Manager or First Team Coach has been offered to any individual other than Avram Grant.
Marco announced at Stamford Bridge - OFFICIAL
They said: "Contrary to media reports this morning, Chelsea Football Club totally refutes that the job of Manager or First Team Coach has been offered to any individual other than Avram Grant.
No one at Chelsea FC has been authorised to speak to any individual about the post, either by the board or the owner. Also any suggestion that any team plans or arrangements have been changed due to representations from players is also totally false.
Chelsea is considering its position regarding further action in light of these reports."
There has clearly been a big mistake here as Marco has signed to Stamford Bridge.
In another statement Chelsea confirmed: "Marco Pierre White opened his new restaurant at Stamford Bridge last night.
There has clearly been a big mistake here as Marco has signed to Stamford Bridge.
In another statement Chelsea confirmed: "Marco Pierre White opened his new restaurant at Stamford Bridge last night.
The star of ITV1's, Hell's Kitchen, invited many of his tudents from the show including Barry McGuigan, who was the eventual winner, as well as fellow finalist Adele Silva who arrived with Brian Dowling, another contestant in the hit show, and Abigail Clancy.
Called Marco, the restaurant is named after his son. It is located adjacent to the Millenium hotel entrance, and faces the main entrance to the stadium.
'I've got the restaurant Luciano's, in St James, which is named after my friend Luciano. Then I have the restaurant Mirabelle, in Mayfair, which is named after my daughter. So it seemed only right that I should name one after my boy, Marco,' White explains.
White was born in Leeds but came to London at the age of 16.
He doesn't believe his Leeds birthplace will make any difference to running a restaurant at Stamford Bridge.
'Firstly I was a Leeds boy and as a boy I was taught to hate Chelsea supporters and to hate Chelsea, but I'm not that sort of boy, I follow football but I'm not obsessed with football.'
'I've lived in Chelsea for the last 26 years, I grew up on these streets, and so Chelsea is the only place I could have chosen.'
'If Leeds had asked me to do a restaurant in Leeds I would have said no. If Manchester United asked me, I'd say no, because it is not my manor.
By the age of 33 White had already been awarded three Michelin stars. However, in 1999 he gave them up and announced his retirement from the kitchen in order to build a portfolio of restaurants.
'I felt like a footballer who'd reached his thirties and who's about a yard too slow,' said White, who feels his recent stint with Hell's Kitchen has helped to make him known to all corners of Britain.
He currently owns seven restaurants in London as well as a chain of pizzerias with jockey Frankie Dettori.
The new restaurant will offer a flexible menu, with all the foods that White likes to eat himself and, despite owning restaurants in Mayfair, he doesn't feel phased by the challenge of running a restaurant at a football stadium.
'I think it makes it exciting not tough. In most restaurants it's the same day in day out, day in day out.
'I think to be able to cook a great breakfast on a Saturday before a match is fantastic. I think to be able to cook a traditional Sunday lunch for the family on a Sunday game is fantastic.
'I think to cook something posh in the evening if someone wants to entertain or take their girlfriend out is great.'
He cannot wait to for his restaurant and his menus to start delighting Blues fans. There will be the choice of Mediterranean dishes full of 'sunny flavours' as well as simple, English food for the more traditional Chelsea fan.
'I'm very excited, what I like about it is it's not too big; it's got 60-70 seats. It's understated, it's comfortable, intimate, romantic, luxurious and delicious.'
If you want to sample the delight that Marco has to offer then the restaurant will be open to the public from Monday October 1st for dinner only and will be open from 6.00pm-10.30pm. From October 2nd the restaurant will be open for lunch from 12-2.30pm.
To book your table and find out what the Marco Restaurant has to offer, call 0207 915 2929.
So there you are ...