Carlo Ancelotti faces the sack after only his first season in charge of Chelsea if he fails to deliver the Premier League title.

Roman Abramovich was angered at Chelseas failure to perform as they exited the Champions League to Jose Mourinhos Inter Milan this week, and Ancelotti admitted in the aftermath that his job was under scrutiny.

Ive worked for a long time in this environment and I know exactly what the expectations are, he said. Its normal that a manager is going to come under pressure if he loses a few matches.

Soccernet sources close to Abramovich have confirmed that the Chelsea owner called a team meeting to express his frustration with the players after the defeat and that Ancelotti will have to win the league to survive the axe.

Roman was upset with the players, for sure, the source said. He called the players to a team talk.

Ancelotti-s-future now depends on the league. He will need to win the league to survive.

Yet, should Ancelotti leave, Abramovich is running out of options for a replacement, with Guus Hiddink already having accepted the Turkey job.

Frank Rijkaard, currently with Galatasaray after spells with Netherlands, Sparta Rotterdam and Barcelona, could come into contention for the role once more, according to the source.

Roman wouldnt have Mourinho back, thats for sure, he said. Rijkaard was a candidate before, but he decided he didnt want to take the job.

It has been widely suggested that Abramovich could now be willing to fund an overhaul of the squad this summer, but he is unwilling to join Real Madrid and Manchester City in paying hugely inflated fees.

Fernando Torres has been strongly linked and the Spain striker will be the top target if Liverpool fail to qualify for the Champions League, but the source believes Chelsea will be priced out of the bidding.

Posted on March 19th, 2010 by admin
Filed under: Soccer news