Carlo Ancelotti today insisted he is not on the brink of quitting as Chelsea boss.
Ancelotti has told friends he is “disillusioned” with life at Stamford Bridge after assistant Ray Wilkins was sacked above his head and replaced by scout Michael Emenalo.
But today the Italian maintained he is going nowhere and refuted claims he has rung the League Mangers Association for advice over his next step. Ancelotti said: “I don’t know if it’s enough to clarify my position today to close these rumours and speculation. “These rumours are totally untrue. I don’t know why they came out. “
I didn’t speak with the LMA. They called me last night when I was at home, quiet, to find out what was happening. “There was, last night, a dinner with the coaches and they wanted to know about these rumours.
“I said to them that this is totally untrue. I read today that I called them. That’s untrue. I didn’t call anybody.” Ancelotti added: “I have my contract until 2012, here, in this club. I’ve said a lot of times that I’d like to stay here. “I love not just this club, but these players. I have a lot of confidence in these players, in this squad, so there’s no reason to change my ideas. “Now I don’t know if this is enough to speak about all this. I think that when the team don’t reach the right results, obviously the coach is under pressure.
“Obviously I am under pressure because I’d like Chelsea to win every game, but just this. I am focused on my job and to give my team, my club, what they need to make us play better than we are at this moment. Just this. “There is no reason to think about this, my position. My position in the club is very clear. I am the coach and I have to train my players to maintain the team, the club, at the best level.” Anceotti’s injury problems have increased for tomorrow’s Champions League clash with Slovakian minnows Zilina. Chelsea need just one point to qualify as Group F winners with a game to spare but with John Terry, Frank Lampard, Yuri Zhirkov and Yossi Benayoun still out, Ancelotti has also lost Michael Essien (toe), John Obi Mikel (knee), while Petr Cech, Alex – whose knee surgery has been on hold so he can play at Newcastle on Sunday – Ashley Cole and Nicolas Anelka will be rested. That will mean a first Chelsea start for teenager Josh McEachran and Ancelotti said:
“It is the time for McEachran to play. He’s shown a good attitude and personality. It’s a good moment for him.
It’s the time for him to have his chance.” Probable team (4-3-3): Turnbull, Bosingwa, Bruma, Ivanovic, Van Aanholt; Ramires, McEachran, Malouda; Kalou, Aneka, Kakuta.