All is well for Ancelotti
There was much speculation before Chelsea’s match against Newcastle on Sunday suggesting that Ancelotti would soon be axed and replaced by Barcelona boss, Pep Guardiola. The rumours arose after Chelsea confirmed that Frank Arnesan, the sporting director
at Stamford Bridge, would not be signing a new contract, although perhaps contrary to the Ray Wilkins’ case, the decision to stay on at Stamford Bridge was Arnesan’s own. The former technical director of football at Camp Nou, Txiki Beguiristain has been linked
to replace Frank Arnesan, which led to the rumours of Pep Guardiola to replace ‘under-fire’ Ancelotti. Pep Guardiola’s contract is due to expire in the summer of next year and speculation suggests that despite finding strong favour with the faithful fans
of Spanish giants Barcelona, he has not been given a new contract or any hint of his future at Nou Camp.
When confronted with the question of his future for the umpteenth time on Monday, the 29th, Carlo chose to laugh it off. He talked to the press saying he was aware of the rumours that concerned Pep taking his place at Chelsea, but made it clear
he was not the one eligible to answer such questions. “But you don't have to ask me - the coach is always the last to know. Don't ask me,” he was heard saying at the conference on Monday. He further elaborated by stating his disinterest in the matter, explaining
“We focus on our training and our matches." In previous statements to the press, the Italian has explained to the public that his job at Chelsea is to purely provide “technical direction”.
Ancelotti elaborated by contrasting his position at the club with Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson’s position at Old Trafford, where the Scottish boss has a much greater say and hand in managing all on and on-field issues. The assistant manager to Ancelotti,
Ray Wilkins was unceremoniously shown the door around two weeks ago which prompted rumours as to what could have been the reason to his sudden departure from a club he had served for 37 years, first as a player and then backroom staff.
The name that comes to critics and fans’ minds alike is the owner of Chelsea, Mr Roman Abramovich. The Russian billionaire has infused a large portion of his wealth into the London based club and many feel that unlike the rich owners of other clubs, it is
Abramovich who makes most of the crucial decisions at Chelsea. Abramovich is largely credited with many infamous decisions the club has made, be it the signing of players (Ukranian striker Andrei Shevchenko comes to mind), firing of managers (Jose Mourinho
was sacked after a string of lacklustre performances the Blues displayed, despite the Portuguese winning a total of six titles in the three years he served at the club).
The self made billionaire, Roman is said to have a low tolerance for any sort of underperformance by the players and backroom staff alike. The Russian is said to be largely focused on winning the UEFA Champions League title- a competition in which Chelsea
have progressed in considerably, but have never won. The Blues are currently on top of their Group F, having progressed to the next knockout round of sixteen. Ancelotti’s men have not fared so well in the English Premier League of late, drawing to Newcastle
(1-1) over the weekend and losing to Sunderland and Birmingham in previous fixtures.
Ancelotti admitted to being “under pressure”, but explained that it was “normal” for a manager with the task ahead of him to feel in such a way. Ancelotti received a major boost after the Birmingham game, when owner, Abramovich himself, texted the Italian
emphasising his support for the manager and team, despite the Blues losing by a goal to none in that match.
“When the team play good football, Roman is happy," explained the former AC Milan manager. The Blues were said to have been up against one of Birmingham goal keeper, Ben Foster’s best performances to date. “He always supports me and is supporting me also
in this moment”, explained Ancelotti to the press on Saturday, the 27th of November.
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