Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has denied speculation that he will leave Chelsea this summer to return to Serie A to manage Roma. Ancelotti was spotted in the Italian capital this week and this along with the fact that he has expressed his desire to manage the Giallorossi in the future prompted excited fans to bombard Italian radio stations speculating whether Ancelotti would return to the club. The Italian spent eight years at the club as a player making 171 appearances and won one Serie A title along with four Coppa Italia.
However, Ancelotti has insisted that he wants to remain at Chelsea and was only in Rome to visit his family. The Italian said, “I was visiting family that’s all. Do you think on the eve of Chelsea v Manchester United a person could go negotiating with another club? I have already said it and I repeat it – I feel really good in London. I don’t want to talk about my future until the Premier League season is over. I have never spoken with other clubs. I want to stay in England and I assure you that next season I won’t come back to Italy.”
Vicenzo Montella is currently in charge of the club as caretaker until the end of the season following the sacking of ex Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri in January. Roma are currently sitting fifth in the table with three games remaining and it’s likely that they will opt to sign an experienced manager rather than offering Montella a permanent deal which is why Ancelotti is being linked to a move to the Stadio Olimpico.
However, although Ancelotti is intent on staying at Stamford Bridge, the question is, will Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich persist with the Italian. Even though a hot streak in the league has seen them become serious title contenders in the recent weeks, their season has been somewhat of a disappointment. Before their late season surge, speculation was rife that Abramovich would sack Ancelotti with it being a well known fact that the Russian isn’t exactly a patient character!
In addition, the one thing still missing from the Chelsea’s trophy cabinet is the Champions League and it’s no secret that Abramovich considers it to be the crown jewel. Ancelotti has failed twice in winning the competition and considering Abramovich’s record; the Russian may feel a change in manager will help land the ultimate prize for the West London club.
Therefore it’s conceivable that Ancelotti could end up at the Stadio Olimpico next season after all.