In a major development, as per Mark Ogden of ESPN, Chelsea could rehire former manager Carlo Ancelotti in the summer, if he leaves Real Madrid.
Ancelotti spent two years at Chelsea previously, between 2009 and 2011, and won the Premier League and FA Cup double in the 2009/10 season. The 63-year-old oversaw 109 matches as the manager of the West London club, winning 68.
Ancelotti’s future at Real Madrid has been a major subject of speculation in recent weeks. The club’s underwhelming performance in La Liga this season has seen them fall behind arch-rivals Barcelona in the title race.
And it has been reported that the only way for the Italian to stay in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu next season would be if he wins a major trophy.
As things stand, Real Madrid are in the finals of the Copa del Rey, while they will also be facing Chelsea in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. Failure on both these avenues could see Ancelotti get axed.
A move to the Brazil national team has been mooted for a while now. But, Chelsea are also now understood to be monitoring the 63-year-old’s situation as they look for a new permanent manager at the end of the season.
After having sacked Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter this season, the Blues have appointed club legend Frank Lampard as caretaker boss for the remainder of the campaign.
The new owners, meanwhile, are continuing their search for a permanent manager, with as many as seven candidates being considered.
Ancelotti’s track record and his openness to working with a technical director are said to appeal to Chelsea.
On top of that, his readiness to operate in tandem with a younger coach – Paul Clement (PSG, Real Madrid) and Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid) – is something that Chelsea might want to capitalise on.
A lot will depend on how the season ends for Real Madrid and how Chelsea’s pursuit of other targets such as Julian Nagelsmann, Mauricio Pochettino, and Luis Enrique goes. For now, Ancelotti’s name is back on the table at Stamford Bridge.
