Carlo Ancelotti to quit Chelsea if they fail to qualify for Champions League
Chelsea boss, Carlo Ancelotti revealed recently that he would not coach a side that was not in the Champions League, thereby casting a doubt over his future at Chelsea. The Blues currently occupy the fifth spot in the English Premier
League table; two points behind fourth placed Tottenham Hotspur and 12 points behind league leaders Manchester United. If http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 wish to play in the Champions League next season they have to bag a place in the Top 4, which seems highly unlikely considering
their current form.
Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich hinted he would replace Ancelotti if he failed to lead the Blues out of their worst slump in over 15 years. The January transfer window saw the arrival of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707 for a record-breaking 50-million-pound
transfer fee and defender http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Luiz-c10542 for 21 million pounds, in an attempt to strengthen the weary Blues squad. The expensive arrivals have yet to make an impact and after every disappointing result, the Italian manager is the one who has to answer for his
side’s shortcomings.
Ancelotti arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2009 and went on to lead the Blues to their first ever double, which included the English Premier League crown and the FA Cup. However, his second season has not been as successful. Chelsea
failed to maintain their lead at the top of the league and are currently battling for a place in the Top 4. All is not lost though, as the Blues are still in contention for the Champions League and the FA Cup. They face tough opposition in both competitions,
facing a stubborn FC Copenhagen in the European competition and a determined Everton in the FA Cup.
It seems the former AC Milan boss is different from the previous managers employed under Abramovich. Ancelotti has made it clear he wants to do nothing with a side that is not competing in Europe. The Chelsea boss admitted the
Champions League was a very important competition for him personally and hinted he could be making an exit if the Blues failed to confirm a place in next season’s Champions League.
Ancelotti said while speaking to reporters, “We know the Premier League is now very tough for us but we want to play in the Champions League next year, it is the most important thing for everyone. I don't want to train a team that
is not in the Champions League as for me it is the best competition in the world.”
The race for the Top 4 spots in the Premier League table is indeed very crowded, with Manchester United leading the race, Arsenal closing in at second place, while Manchester City occupying the third spot and Tottenham Hotspur
settled at fourth place. Chelsea are at fifth place but Ancelotti is confident that his side can do better.
He said, “But I am an optimist and I believe my team has the quality [to finish in the top four]. This is why it is important we arrive [in the top four] of the Premier League. It will be a fight; there are five teams, maybe six
teams with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809, who want this.”
Ancelotti’s biggest challenge for the remainder of this season will be to make the Fernando Torres-http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nicolas-Anelka-c27786 in
a highly unsuccessful partnership against Liverpool. In the next Premier League fixture against Fulham, Ancelotti played the Spaniard upfront as a lone striker but he failed to deliver once again as Chelsea left Craven Cottage with just one point from a goalless
draw.
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