Ancelotti: I'm taking a break

Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he will take a one-year sabbatical from coaching after being dismissed by Chelsea last month.The Italian tactician had one year left on his contract with the Blues but was sacked on the final day of the campaign after two seasons in charge.Ancelotti has been linked with the coaching position of newly-promoted QPR, who are managed by Neil Warnock, as well as the vacancies at Fulham and Aston Villa. He has also been a reported target of Serie A club Roma, for whom he enjoyed great success as a player."I am in no hurry to coach and I don't need to," Ancelotti told Italian newspaper La Stampa. "I have not been contacted by any club in England and I have not spoken to Roma. It is all fantasy."I have enjoyed this experience (of coaching in England). I will return to London to organise my life."Besides a six-month break, I have been coaching non-stop since 1995. I will take a year off and look around, study how my colleagues work."

Ancelotti enjoyed a successful playing career at Roma between 1979 and 1987 and has never hidden his wish to guide the capital city club in the future.

"I have always said and I reiterate it that one day I will coach Roma, but it's still early," he said.

Ancelotti led Chelsea to the Premier League and FA Cup Double in his first season in charge but finished trophyless at the end of the 2010-11 campaign.

Aston Villa want Ancelotti

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is contemplating replacing Gerard Houllier with former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.The American billionaire sees Ancelotti as the perfect replacement considering his global reputation and history of success as a manager.Ancelotti, who was only sacked by Chelsea last Sunday, has been inundated with job vacancies from Italy but is seriously considering staying in England.He has fallen in love with the country following his two years in West London and has even mentioned the possibility of taking charge of the national team.Villa Park sources say negotiations are at an early stage but both sides are interested in a deal.The Italian is said to be unwilling to make a definite decision until the situation regarding his friend Houllier’s future is sorted out.Lerner is aware of the Frenchman’s heart problems after Houllier was taken to hospital in April and had to miss the rest of the season.Houllier is expected to be retained by the club in a director of football role, concentrating on finding potential signings and controlling the youth academy.
Ancelotti is not the only name being linked with position. David Moyes, Rafael Benitez and Ian Holloway have all had their names mentioned.

Carlo Ancelotti is sacked as Chelsea manager

Chelsea have sacked manager Carlo Ancelotti after he ended his second season at the club without a trophy.He was dismissed following the 1-0 loss to Everton, as the west Londoners finished second in the Premier League.The 51-year-old had one more year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.A club statement read: "This season's performances have fallen short of expectations and the club feels the time is right to make this change ahead of next season's preparations."
Speculation had been mounting that Ancelotti would be sacked following Chelsea's first season without a trophy in three years.They missed out in the Premier League as Manchester United clinched their 19th top-flight title last week, further compounded by exits in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup during the season.The Blues, who were Premier League and FA Cup holders at the start of the campaign, finished nine points behind United and only ahead of third-placed Manchester City on goal difference.Former manager Avram Grant suffered similar treatment when Chelsea finished second in the domestic table and lost the Champions League final in 2008 on penalties.And ambitious owner Roman Abramovich, who bankrolled an audacious £50m move for striker Fernando Torres during the January transfer window, will now start the search for a successor capable of recapturing the Premier League from Manchester United, while also guiding the club to the much-coveted Champions League trophy.

"Chelsea's long-term football objectives and ambitions remain unchanged and we will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager," read the club statement.

Ancelotti had reiterated his ambition to remain at Chelsea, but insisted the decision was entirely down to the club's demanding hierarchy.

"I am now on holiday - but I am not sure how long my holiday will be," he said in his post-match media conference shortly before he was sacked.

"We haven't arranged any meeting but I think in the next week, now the season is finished, the club can address my job and they will take a decision.

"I have to wait and see what happens. I don't have to say anything to the club - they can judge me on my job for two years."

Ancelotti will not rule out Upton Park role

Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he would be interested in taking the West Ham job if he is shown the door by Chelsea this summer."It doesn't matter if you can manage a top team or a smaller team. For me, it's important to work." The respected Italian tactician secured the Double in his first season at the helm of the Stamford Bridge club but has been unable to claim any silverware this season.That has led to widespread speculation that Sunday's trip to Everton will be his last in charge of the Blues with a meeting planned with the club's hierarchy once the Premier League season concludes.West Ham are searching for a new manager after axing Avram Grant in the immediate aftermath of their relegation to the Championship, and when questioned over whether he would take the Upton Park job, he responded: "Why not?"The atmosphere is fantastic also in the Championship. The stadia are full.

"If you watch a game in Italy in the second division, maybe there will be in the stadium 2,000 people. It's totally different.

"It doesn't matter if you can manage a top team or a smaller team. For me, it's important to work.

"I started to train in the (Italian) second division and I was happy in the second division."


The reasons behind Chelsea's disappointing season are well documented, yet the manager continues to praise his team.

"I have to say thanks to my players, to every one," Ancelotti said.

"Because, more or less, they did their best every time.

"I have to shake their hand, to say thanks."