Monday, June 1, 2009

Ancelotti targets European glory

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Interview: New boss targets Champions League (courtesy of Chelsea TV)

Carlo Ancelotti is under no illusions that winning the Champions League will be his priority as Chelsea's new boss.

Chelsea were beaten in the 2008 final by Manchester United on penalties and have suffered four semi-final defeats.

Ancelotti has enjoyed better success in the competition, twice guiding AC Milan to Champions League final victories as well as winning it twice as a player.

"Five semi-finals in six years is a beautiful score (for Chelsea) but now we need to win," said Ancelotti.

"Champions League, for me, is the best competition in the world and all teams want to win it.

"For me, the Champions League is a beautiful sensation because when I played I won two times in 1989 and 1990 with AC Milan and it was a fantastic achievement. And it was the same as a coach in 2003 and 2007."

Third place in the league isn't good enough for Chelsea anymore

Chelsea captain John Terry

Ancelotti, who has been given a three-year deal, will become Chelsea's fifth manager in less than three years when he formally starts in his new post on 1 July as Guus Hiddink's successor.

Hiddink was always going to be a stop-gap measure due to his World Cup commitments with Russia but former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin believes Ancelotti must now be given time by owner Roman Abramovich to have a chance of delivering honours.

"He had a very good career in Italy," Nevin told BBC Sport. "He didn't win as many championships as he might have done but he got two Champions League medals and that's obviously what Roman Abramovich wants.

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"He is a manager who stays for a period of time. Eight years at Milan is a long time, time to build a team in his own image and I would argue that's what Chelsea need right now.

"He needs to be given time and a few pounds, quite a few pounds as well."

Nevin added: "If you look round the planet for the managers who can definitely get you the Champions League there aren't any.

Ancelotti needs time and money - Nevin

"Sir Alex Ferguson went all the way to the final with a fantastic side and he didn't get it. It's the toughest one to win but he (Ancelotti) has got as good a chance as anyone if he's given time and a bit of money.

"He also needs to do it with a team that needs a bit of freshening up and I think he will be given time to do it. That's what Chelsea need."

Former Aston Villa defender Martin Laursen, who had a spell under Ancelotti at Milan between 2002-04, also pleaded for the 49-year-old Italian to be given time.

"I would say let him stay there for a long time even if the results are not so good at the beginning," Laursen told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He works a lot on the training pitch, so he will be good for the team and good for Chelsea as a club.

"Ancelotti has a lot of experience dealing with big stars at Milan so he will like that at Chelsea.

"I think he is normally a calm person but he can be angry with players when he is not happy with the play," the Dane added.

"He will adapt to English football no problem, but I see the language barrier being his biggest problem overall."

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Meanwhile Chelsea captain John Terry, in an open letter to supporters, has insisted Chelsea must do better under their new manager next season.

"Third place in the league isn't good enough for Chelsea anymore," said Terry. "It's our worst finish since Mr Abramovich bought the club and we all know we need to do better.

"It is fantastic to win the FA Cup but we want more and that's the way it needs to be for us these days.

"We will all enjoy the time we have off now and come back for pre-season as determined as ever and of course looking forward to achieving great things with the new manager Carlo Ancelotti."

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