Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish thinks Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is a “cool dude”
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish declared his support for Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti ahead of his side’s visit to Stamford Bridge in a mid-week English Premier League fixture. The Birmingham boss will be hoping his side complete the double over Chelsea
this season, having previously defeated them at St. Andrews.
McLeish is already somewhat a hero with the Birmingham City supporters, having beaten http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-Maseru-c38430 in the final to claim the Carling Cup this season. However, his side are currently at 14th place on the Premier League table, a mere six points away
from the drop zone. With six games remaining in the season, McLeish is aware the importance of registering good results if his side are to avoid relegation.
The Scotsman revealed he was aware of the situation Carlo Ancelotti was in, having failed to deliver silverware a season after leading the Blues to the domestic double. The Italian got off to a flying start at the London club, with the Blues making and breaking
records as they went on to claim the English Premier League crown and the FA Cup.
However, this season has not been as eventful; in fact, it has been quite turbulent for the Blues. The existing ageing squad was riddled with injuries, with most of the key players being sidelined for the better part of the season. As if that wasn’t enough,
Ancelotti’s assistant coach Ray Wilkins was sacked mid-season, which is thought to play a major role in their decline.
From being at the top of the league, the Blues slipped out of the top five and were eliminated from the Carling Cup, FA Cup and finally the UEFA Champions League. The lack of trophies has led http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 owner Roman Abramovich to start searching for a replacement
for the former AC Milan manager. It is expected he will be sacked at the end of the season.
McLeish knows the situation all too well, having been through something similar at Scottish outfit Rangers. In his first season McLeish led the Rangers to the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup and in his second won the treble. After a trophy less
season, McLeish beat defending champions Celtic to regain the title, however, his sides declining form soon ended his career with the Scottish side.
McLeish said while speaking to reporters, “I can relate to what is happening with Carlo. I went trophy less one of the seasons at http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rangers-c40314. That is not very good in the eyes of the Rangers fans or anyone associated with the club. Carlo will be feeling the
same. We know the law of the jungle as managers. You are going to get scrutinised and criticised.”
The Birmingham boss continued, “Chelsea are expected to win things and Carlo gets scrutinised on that basis. Equally if I don't keep the team in the Premier League, I'm going to get it in the neck as well. We all have relative pressures. But Ancelotti is
a cool dude, has been around the block a few times, has massive experience.”
McLeish will be in preparation to visit a resurgent Chelsea, who destroyed a tough West Brom side 3-1 away. He admitted the Blues looked more confident after their Champions League exit but said he expected his side to do well.
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