Chelsea hunt continues as Ancelotti stays in Milan

Chelsea will continue their search for a new coach today after AC Milan’s Carlo Ancelotti apparently ruled himself out of the running to succeed Avram Grant.

The Blues moved swiftly to reject suggestions that Ancelotti had agreed to join them last night amid reports they had reached a settlement with the Italian’s advisors.

Any lingering doubt about the likelihood of Ancelotti’s arrival at Stamford Bridge was soon dispelled in unequivocal fashion by the double Champions League winner, however, as he spelt out his desire to remain at the San Siro.

“I’m staying at AC Milan for sure, and for many seasons to come,” he said last night.

“I’ve not spoken to anyone at Chelsea – any other reports are football talk and pure speculation.”

Chelsea will continue to pursue their targets with renewed vigour today although it now appears that the search will focus on other contenders.

The Blues insisted they were happy with the progress of their search for a replacement for the sacked Grant by releasing a statement on their official website.

“We are extremely happy how our search is progressing,” the statement read.

“Contrary to reports Chelsea Football Club has not reached agreement with any individual to become manager, nor have we sought permission from any organisation to talk to their manager.”

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani also denied that Ancelotti had met Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in Paris on Monday.

The Milan coach was alleged to have met the Russian at the Four Seasons hotel in the French capital to discuss terms but Galliani was assured by Ancelotti that the reports were wrong.

“I have spoken to Ancelotti and can confirm that he was in Paris on Monday, but not to meet Abramovich,” Galliani said.

“That is something he has denied expressively. He was in Paris on his own business.

“Ancelotti is coach of Milan and will continue to be so.”

The 48-year-old coach is under contract with Milan until 2010. The Serie A club are keen to keep hold of their coach despite failing to win any silverware last season and missing out on qualification for the Champions League.

Former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho, who was installed as the new coach of Inter Milan yesterday, declined to say whether Ancelotti would be the right man to step into the role he vacated last September.

Mourinho said: “Ancelotti is a great coach and Chelsea is a big club with great players, but Abramovich has better experience of football at the moment than when he started with Chelsea and I don’t think he needs any other opinion.

“I cannot say if Ancelotti wants to move there or not, or whether Milan are open to the offer or closed.

“All I can say is that I support Chelsea and wish the best to whoever does take over.”

Ancelotti won the Champions League twice with Milan and his European experience is particularly desirable to Chelsea, who lost the final of this year’s elite club competition 6-5 on penalties to Manchester United.