'Business as usual' for Chelsea

Carlo Ancelotti appears set to survive the season at Chelsea after the club insisted it was “business as usual” following their Champions League exit.

It is understood there have been no meetings between owner Roman Abramovich and board members, or between board members themselves, to discuss the manager’s position.

Chelsea’s quarter-final loss to Manchester United, which was sealed on Tuesday night, left them on the brink of ending a season without a trophy for only the third time since Abramovich bought the club almost eight years ago.

The Russian sacked the manager on the two previous occasions and Ancelotti could be forgiven for fearing the same fate.

But a spokesman told Press Association Sport: “It’s business as usual.

“The most important thing is to win all the games we can in the league and qualify for the Champions League.”

It could be argued this stops short of the kind of backing Ancelotti received at the end of 2010, in the midst of Chelsea’s worst run in the Barclays Premier League for almost 15 years.

But it appears to show the Italian’s position is still set to be reviewed at the end of the season, as suggested recently by chief executive Ron Gourlay.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech has insisted Chelsea’s players are just as much to blame as Ancelotti for what could be the club’s worst campaign since Abramovich’s takeover.

The current season looks destined to represent a new low, with the Blues having suffered earlier-than-expected exits in every cup competition, as well as languishing 11 points behind United in the Premier League.

But while the buck may ultimately stop with Ancelotti – who did win the double in his first season in charge last year – goalkeeper Cech has claimed everyone needs to take a look at themselves.

“We win together, we lose together,” said the 28-year-old after what was the latest Champions League disappointment of his seven-year Stamford Bridge career.

“We are on the same boat and we try to guide the boat to the harbour as safely as possible.”

Failing to keep hold of Ancelotti next season would be a mistake, according to former Chelsea captain Paul Elliott.

Elliott told Press Association Sport: “Okay, he’s picked up nothing this year, but they need to back their man.

“I think he’s the best manager long-term.

“He’s got the ability to manage the egos, he can manage multi-million pound players.”

Elliott believes Abramovich’s patience will ultimately hold.

He added: “I’ll tell you the reason I don’t fear: I love the way Ancelotti handles the pressure.

“I think he’s got tremendous confidence and, be assured, if he left Chelsea, he’s only going on to better things.”