As a player Carlo Ancelotti was known as a tough-tackling, uncompromising midfielder for Parma, Roma, AC Milan and Italy, and the Chelsea boss is now looking to stamp his considerable personality on his new club.
Chelsea are yet to win the Champions League, a feat Ancelotti achieved on two occasions both as a player and a coach at Milan, while they have not won the league title since back-to-back triumphs under the ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho.
But, as Givemefootball’s Mark Shail discovered, the Italian is already setting his sights on European glory in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Q: Do you think winning the Champions League is within Chelsea's grasp next season?
A: Winning the Champions League is what I am here for. Twice as a player and twice as a manager I have won that trophy we call ‘Big Ears’. It is a little step for Chelsea to be in the semi-finals five years out of six and then to win the Champions League – but there are sacrifices you need to make.
Q: You must be disappointed to have lost striker Didier Drogba for four European games?
A: I was a player and I know things can happen in the heat of the moment. You are carried away by what happens and although
Drogba’s is not a good situation, these things happen. To lose Drogba for four games is not easy, it is a disappointment for us.
Q: Is it true that you have a good relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson?
A: Yes, Ferguson and I have a good relationship. We drank red wine together when we met in Manchester recently. It is exciting to be able to compete with a club like
Manchester United.
On August 9th, we have the Community Shield at Wembley against them and I want to get a lot of positive sensations from that match. But it is football, not a war. I haven’t spoken to Ferguson since I got the job here, we’ll speak on August 9th.
Q: And you have gone head-to-head with Sir Alex before?
A: We have played against each other’s teams when I was at Milan and for me it has gone very well, but every match is a different story. I don’t know much about his mind games, but I do think irony is important. You can use it to maintain respect.
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