FOOTBALL : Carlo Ancelotti has targeted a long stay at Stamford Bridge because he already feels part of the Chelsea family.
Carlo Ancelotti has targeted a long stay at Stamford Bridge because he already feels part of the Chelsea family.
Ancelotti comes up against Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday and is full of admiration for the Frenchman’s longevity in the English top flight. Wenger has been with the Gunners for 13 years and Ancelotti would like to go some way towards emulating the Frenchman’s achievements in England.
“Wenger is one of the best coaches in the world and has done a fantastic job like Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. My objective is to stay here a long time.” said Ancelotti.
“I’m a young head coach. I am an Italian coach. For an Italian coach, it’s very difficult to think about staying at one club more than five years.
“I stayed at Milan for eight years and, for an Italian coach, that was a record. In England it’s easier to stay at a club for a long time.”
Asked what he enjoyed about being in England, Ancelotti added: “I never thought that I train for money. For sure, the club pay for me to train this team, but I’m here because of my passion.
“Football gives me a lot of emotion and I do this job with a lot of enthusiasm. I like the organisation of this club and the atmosphere here.
“I think Chelsea is a like a family. There is a good atmosphere here with the players and all the components within the club.”
Ancelotti insists Sunday’s game will not decide the title or rule the Gunners out of the race. Victory for Chelsea would put them 11 points ahead of Arsene Wenger’s side and the Blues have been boosted by the return to fitness of Frank Lampard.
“It will be a very good test for us,” added the Italian. “I think it will be a fantastic match because both teams want to play football. This is not a decisive match for Chelsea or for Arsenal. It’s an important match. Arsenal will want to win the game, and Chelsea also, but it’s not decisive for the title.”
