Carlo Ancelotti open to Chelsea return but denies contact over Liverpool job

Carlo Ancelotti claims he would have no issue returning for a second spell in charge at Chelsea. But he does not believe the club will sack Jose Mourinho following a desperate run of form that has seen the defending Premier League champions lose nine games in all competitions since August. The recent 1-0 defeat at Stoke City left the club languishing in 16th place, just three points above the relegation zone and one place below next opponents Norwich.

Mourinho was absent from the Britannia Stadium due to a one-match ban handed down as a result of his angry and defiant tirade at referee Jon Moss launched at half-time of October's London derby against West Ham United, and such a woeful sequence of results has seen pressure on the manager steadily increase despite a vote of confidence received in October.

Ancelotti and former interim boss Guus Hiddink are thought to be among the front-runners for the job in the event that owner Roman Abramovich's patience does finally run out, and it seems the former would have no qualms about working at Stamford Bridge again.

"I would have no problem with Chelsea," the Italian, who won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 2010 before being dismissed in controversial circumstances following his trophyless second season, told The Mail. "But Jose won't be sacked. They already choose to keep him, and I think they made a good choice."

Former AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain chief Ancelotti is currently out of work following a two-year spell in charge at Real Madrid, where he finally ended the club's quest for that elusive 10th European crown in 2014 before being relieved of his duties and replaced by Rafael Benitez just 12 months later.

West Ham were then linked with an audacious swoop for his services as they searched for a high-profile successor to Sam Allardyce, but so far Ancelotti has resisted the chance to return to management amid his decision to undergo neck surgery.

Widespread reports in early October suggested that the 56-year-old had been approached by Liverpool regarding the opportunity to replace Brendan Rodgers in the dugout at Anfield, although he is adamant that no contact was ever made.

"I would like to come back to work in England," he added. "I love the football here, I still have a house in London, and I would like to be with a team that is competitive in England and in Europe.

"I think Liverpool are a good team. They have some really good young players — Coutinho, Firmino, Benteke. If they can find an experienced player like Gerrard or Carragher — an example to the squad — I think they can be really competitive. But I did not speak with them. If I spoke with them I can say 'yes', but no, I did not."

When further questioned if his advisers may have spoken to Liverpool before the appointment of Jurgen Klopp, he added: "They made the right appointment in Klopp. He is a good manager. With the best managers you see their identity in their team. Klopp's Dortmund team had a very strong identity."