Ancelotti 'set for Chelsea return'
Reports claim that Carlo Ancelotti will return to Stamford Bridge to manage Chelsea once again ahead of the 2018/19 season.
Scottish publication 'The Daily Record' reports that the Italian has held talks with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the he will be returning to take the reins once again sooner rather than later.
Journalist Ian McGarry is the man to have broken the news, explaining in the aforementioned publication's 'Transfer Window Podcast' that Abramovich sees Ancelotti as the perfect man to come in and ease the problems caused by Antonio Conte's abrasive approach to management.
The former Italy international has also been linked with a return to another of his former clubs in the form of PSG, with Unai Emery expected to be given the boot is the Parisians fails to challenge for the Champions League title. However, McGarry insists that Ancelotti is London-bound.
"Ancelotti will not be returning to PSG because he will be moving back to London in February," he explained.
"And there he will be waiting to replace Conte at Chelsea. He has been spoken to by Chelsea with regards to succeeding Conte, who everyone at the club believes will not be at the club beyond the end of this season.
"Indeed, if things go badly in the Champions League knockout stages then he may even be away before then and Carlo will be in situ. That’s what will be happening.
"He will definitely be gone by the start of next season. Ancelotti moving to London is significant because he’s had talks with Roman Abramovich, he is the preferred candidate to replace Conte and change the management style back to one that’s less abrasive and less confrontational.
"Ancelotti is famed for being diplomatic, for listening to his players and how they want to play."
The 58-year-old previously managed the 'Blues' between 2009 and 2011, only to be sacked after winning the league and cup double, something which Abramovich is now thought to regret.
"The interesting thing about Ancelotti’s sacking first time around is it came the season after they had won the double of the Premier League and FA Cup and even Abramovic believes his decision was premature," McGarry added.
"This is typical Abramovich management. He goes from one extreme to the other. He goes from a charismatic type coach like Mourinho and Conte, then reverts to a more placid and compliant coach like Ancelotti.
"Abramovich won’t be get these constant rows about transfers. Ancelotti is seen as the right man because he won’t cause rows about transfer policy."
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