Carlo Ancelotti wants Premier League return, but throws support behind Jose Mourinho at Chelsea

JOSE Mourinho is coming under increasing pressure at Stamford Bridge after guiding Chelsea to its worst league start in 37 years.But he’s found himself an unlikely ally at the club in the form of the man who is the favourite to replace him were he to be sacked — Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian managed the club for two years between 2009 and 2011, winning the Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season in charge.

However, he was sacked at the conclusion of the 2010-11 campaign after Chelsea finished nine points behind Manchester United in second place.

Although Ancelotti has revealed he still wants a return to the Premier League, he has claimed Mourinho remains the best person available to lead Chelsea through its current crisis.

“After a fantastic season, how they did last year, maybe they have lost a bit of motivation and after some bad results it’s not so easy to move on from a difficult situation,” Ancelotti told BBC Radio 5 Live.



Carlo Ancelotti managed Chelsea for two years between 2009 and 2011. Source: AFP

“The players didn’t change, the manager didn’t change. But to have success you have to be 100 per cent. At 90 per cent in football is not enough, you have to be 100 per cent.

“Chelsea is used to competing at the top level. They have lost a little bit of confidence in their play and arrived at bad results. Slowly, they can move on from this situation.

“Mourinho is the best person to manage this because he is the one involved, he knows the situation and the condition of the players and the club took the right decision to stay with Mourinho.

“Just like players, some managers can lose a little bit of motivation when you have success.

“I think the manager is never secure, never safe, because he does not make the decision to stay or go. I think the club has the right people to make this decision and I think Mourinho is the best manager for Chelsea at the moment.



Jose Mourinho is coming under increasing pressure at Chelsea. Source: Getty Images

“He is one of the best managers in the world, everyone knows this and in football sometimes you have to manage this kind of situation. I’ve never come across a manager who has won all their games.”

Chelsea has lost seven of its opening 12 league matches to begin club’s title defence and already finds itself 15 points behind league leaders Manchester City.

Ancelotti has been instilled as the favourite to replace Mourinho were he to be sacked, having spent time at Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid after losing his job at Chelsea.

The 56-year-old has said he will continue his sabbatical until the end of the current season, before considering a role in England.

“I will stay out until the end of the season and try to find another club next season,” Ancelotti said.




Carlo Ancelotti spent time at PSG and Real Madrid after being sacked by Chelsea. Source:Getty Images

“Not just in England, it can be in another country, but my idea is not to start now. I had a fantastic experience in France and Spain. The most important thing is to start; to find a club with a good project and be competitive. If it’s in England, it’s better.

“I’m not training but it’s my decision, I wanted to take a break for a year and I’m enjoying it. I’m living in Vancouver, everything is quiet and there is no pressure, but I’m ready to start at the beginning of next season.

“I want to enjoy the next six months and rest again. The Premier League is my No. 1 choice but the most important thing is to find a club with the right project. I would like to have a team that will be competitive and in Europe but when I went to Paris Saint-Germain it was because it was a really good project, to be competitive in three or four years.”


Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is coming under increasing pressure at Stamford Bridge.

Source: AP