Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed rumours that he could make a return to his former club Chelsea as manager. Ancelotti joked during his pre-match press conference prior to Wednesday’s quarterfinal encounter against Chelsea: “Again?”
Ancelotti managed Chelsea for two seasons between 2009 and 2011, leading the team to the Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season in charge. The Italian has a fond memory of his time at the club, but he confirmed that he would not be returning to manage them.
Despite Chelsea’s current struggles, sitting 11th in the table and having sacked two managers under the new ownership lead by Todd Boehly, Ancelotti expressed his support for former player and now interim head coach Frank Lampard. I am a Chelsea supporter, of course, since I spent two incredibly pleasant years there, he declared. I believe Lampard ought to remain. I really hope Lampard can pull that off brilliantly.
Ancelotti’s Real Madrid side face a tough test against Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The two sides will play each other twice over the next two weeks, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals of the competition.
The Italian manager will be hoping to guide his team to victory, having won the Champions League three times in his career as a manager. His current team, Real Madrid, are currently second in the La Liga table and will be looking to add another European trophy to their collection.
The Italian managed the Blues for two seasons between 2009 and 2011 and won the Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season in charge.
The west London side have struggled this season, sitting 11th in the table having sacked two managers while under the new ownership lead by Todd Boehly.
“I think Lampard [should stay]. I hope Lampard is able to do a fantastic job there,” Ancelotti said.
This news will come as a relief to Chelsea fans who had been speculating about the possibility of Ancelotti returning to Stamford Bridge. With the club’s recent struggles and Lampard’s relative lack of experience as a manager, there had been concerns about whether he was the right man to lead the team forward.
But with the backing of a highly respected and successful manager like Ancelotti, Lampard can feel confident in his ability to turn things around at Chelsea. Whether or not he will be given the time to do so remains to be seen, but for now at least, he has the support of one of the greats of the game.
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