Ancelotti could make shock Chelsea return

Stuart Telford

• 7 Apr 2023 10:50 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea are interested in bringing Carlo Ancelotti back to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season according to reports.

Chelsea are already on their third manager of the Todd Boehly era, with the American billionaire bringing Frank Lampard back to the club on Thursday having dismissed Graham Potter and, before that, Thomas Tuchel at the start of the season.

But Lampard has only been brought back as a caretaker manager, with Chelsea still sounding out a number of options, including Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann, to take on the role on a more permanent basis.

READ: From Conte to Mourinho: Every manager linked to Chelsea job

Whilst Jose Mourinho has also been heavily linked with a return, word was quiet regarding Real Maddrid boss Ancelotti - until now.

"Carlo Ancelotti will be considered for a return to Chelsea for a second spell as manager at Stamford Bridge should the Real Madrid coach leave the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season," report ESPN.

A future for Ancelotti AND Lampard?

"Alongside Ancelotti's successful track record, the Italian has also shown a readiness to work with younger coaches, including Paul Clement at Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid, as well as Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu - opening up the prospect of a similar set-up at Chelsea."

READ: Real Madrid's five-man shortlist to replace Ancelotti

That latter point suggests Lampard could have a longer-term future at Stamford Bridge after all, with Ancelotti helping oversee his development as much as the players'.

Ancelotti led Madrid to La Liga and Champions League glory last season, but they are second in the league this season, 12 points behind Barcelona, and Florentino Perez is notoriously trigger-happy with his managers.

Ancelotti won the domestic double of Premier League and FA Cup in his last spell at Chelsea in 2010. Lampard, still an elite-level midfielder back then, scored 27 goals in all competitions for the Blues that season.

The Italian has also been linked with the vacant Brazil manager's job.