Ancelotti snubs Chelsea

Carlo Ancelotti stated that he will be staying at Milan, and he is '150 per cent' committed to the club. Roman Abramovich will be disappointed by hearing this, as he is searching for a new manager for his club, and Ancelotti was supposed to be the frontrunner. The Milan boss said that his link with Chelsea is pure speculation.

I'm staying at AC Milan for sure, and for many seasons to come," he said. "I've not spoken to anyone at Chelsea - any other reports are football talk and pure speculation."

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani backed Ancelotti's statement: "Carlo Ancelotti will be 100 per cent coach of Milan next season. It is absolutely out of the question that he goes to Chelsea."

The reports from Italy suggested that Abramovich met representatives from the Milan club and a discussion on Ancelotti's possible contract and the transfer budget was made. Chelsea have denied this claims, and said that they had not requested permission to speak directly to Ancelotti.

"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," the club said. "We are extremely happy with how our search is progressing."

Chelsea is also linked with another Italian, Lucian Spalletti - AS Roma boss. Roberto Mancini and Didier Deschamps have both openly declared their interest in the job. Chelsea are keen on signing Scolari, though he wil not be available until after Euro 2008.