Chelsea forced to deny Ancelotti exit talk

The month started with Chelsea five points clear at the top and many punters predicting that they had the title sewn up for another year - they traded at [1.44] at one point - however a nightmare few weeks threatened to get worse last night following reports that Carlo Ancelotti had offered his resignation.

The Blues boss has recently made it clear that he had no involvement in the decision to axe assistant Ray Wilkins, explaining how his position as more of a coach than a Sir Alex Ferguson-style manager meant he had no power to veto the decision: "Ferguson has total control of the team. I am just technical direction."

Those comments prompted internet rumours that the Italian - who survived eight seasons working under Silvio Berlusconi at AC Milan, it shouldn't be forgotten - has grown disillusioned about his role at the club and was fed up with Roman Abramovich, only to have his offer to quit snubbed. Chelsea dismissed the claim as "total nonsense".

Since losing his number two, Ancelotti has suffered the first successive Premier League losses of his tenure, with the graver concern being that the setbacks have been suffered in hardly the most daunting double header of the campaign - at home to Sunderland and away to Birmingham.

Things will get even harder before Christmas, as the champions face difficult away days in Newcastle and at Tottenham, while the home games are just as tough, with occasional bogey team Everton and main title rivals Manchester United ([3.6] after going level) visiting Stamford Bridge.

The majority view is that this is a blip for Chelsea though and that they will recover to finish first once again. Ancelotti's side are [2.28] favourites to bounce back and retain.

Do you believe there is any substance to the speculation? Have your say below...

Published: 22 Nov 2010

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