Ancelotti: I can be special too

NEW Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti insists he can be as popular as former boss Jose Mourinho.

The Italian is the fourth manager in the Stamford Bridge hot seat since Mourinho left in September 2007 – having won every domestic competition.

Only the Champions League crown eluded the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ during his successful spell at Chelsea.

Since then Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Ray Wilkins and Guus Hiddink have all taken turns in charge. Now Ancelotti is determined to become as popular and as successful as Mourinho and is not afraid of the challenge ahead.

“I think Mourinho is a great coach because he won a lot of trophies but it’s not a war between Mourinho and me,” said Ancelotti.

“It’s normal that he is popular in Chelsea because he won the Premier League but I also want to win it. I also want to be popular with the fans.

“I’m not sure if the period of time here will be long or short but I want the people to remember me.”

However, while Ancelotti was hailing Mourinho’s achievements at Stamford Bridge the Inter manager was talking a swipe at the Italian.

Mourinho expressed his irritation that Ancelotti claimed in his unveiling at Stamford Bridge last week that he does not know who the ‘Special One’ is.

Mourinho, who introduced himself in those terms when he was first unveiled as the new Chelsea coach, said: “Now they say of him (Ancelotti) in England that he is Prince Charles. But I only know one Prince Charles, and that is the Prince of Wales. Ancelotti is no friend of mine.”

Mourinho, who led Inter to their fourth straight title last year in his first season in charge, says that so far things have not gone according to plan in the transfer market for his team. Inter had been linked with Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho, but it appears the Portuguese defender will not be moving to the San Siro.

“Inter’s squad? It’s complete,” he said. “We have blonds, brown, black and white – I think it’s difficult that anyone else will arrive.”

Meanwhile Real Madrid sporting director Miguel Pardeza has insisted Cesc Fabregas is not a target as the Spanish giants search for an alternative in case they cannot persuade Liverpool to part with Xabi Alonso. Reports in Spain have suggested Madrid could turn to Arsenal captain Fabregas after baulking at Liverpool’s asking price for Alonso and seemingly being rebuffed by Roma over Daniele de Rossi.

Madrid have long been linked with Fabregas, as have the Spain international’s former club Barcelona, but Pardeza is adamant the 22-year-old is not on their radar.

“He is a great player, there’s no doubt about that. But at this moment he is not a target for Real Madrid. The club are working on other alternatives,” he said.

Pardeza also confirmed they had come up against brick wall regarding Alonso, but insisted that did not necessarily mean their hopes of bringing the Euro 2008 winner to the Bernabeu were now over.

“Madrid must not discard an option until it’s totally gone. There is an insurmountable financial barrier, but it’s something that could change. We’re looking for alternatives, although there aren’t many.”

Meanwhile Arsenal director Stan Kroenke, the largest shareholder at the north London club, has again increased his stake.

Kroenke has bought a further 160 shares at £8,500 (€9,800) per share, taking his holding in Arsenal to 28.58%.

It takes Kroenke closer to the 30% threshold that would force him to make an offer for the remaining shares.