Ancelotti has no exit plan

CARLO ANCELOTTI yesterday refused to contemplate the prospect of Chelsea’s Barclays Premier League clash with Newcastle being his final home game at the club.

Ancelotti appears set to be sacked at the end of the season after overseeing the worst campaign at Stamford Bridge since Roman Abramovich’s takeover.

The Blues boss could be forgiven for saying his goodbyes to Chelsea’s supporters this weekend but he said yesterday: “I don’t want to think about it being my last (home) game.

“I am focused to put the best team out, to win, to say thanks to our fans.

“They gave us fantastic support and it’s not been an easy season for them.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s the last or not. We have to wait and see what happens at the end of the season.”

He added: “I don’t know what is going to happen about my future, but I’m not nervous. I’m quiet. I’m calm.

“I hope to stay — I’ve said a lot of times — but if something’s changed, I will find another solution without problem.”

The Italian’s sacking would mean the club would be looking for their seventh manager in eight years, the sort of instability that does more harm than good.

Yet, Ancelotti said: “I think that I have a very good relationship with the players.

“But I don’t think it would be a problem for next season if I’m not here. I hope, obviously, to stay here. But there may be another coach and they’ll have the same relationship.

“We’re speaking about very professional players, players with a lot of experience.

“Every coach who was here in the past had a good relationship with the players. They gave, all the time, their best.”

Sunday’s defeat at Manchester United means Chelsea could kick-off tomorrow having seen Alex Ferguson’s men claim the title 24 hours earlier at Blackburn.

Motivation might therefore be a problem against Newcastle but Ancelotti said: “Our aim is to reach second place. This is the motivation for the players — to play a good game, have a reaction after the bad game we had against United.

“It’s not been an easy week because we lost something.

“But second place is important. We have to do our best to reach this position in the table.”