AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed his departure after victory over Fiorentina.

"In agreement with the club we have decided to terminate the contract a year early from the 2010 expiry," he said after the 2-0 victory at Fiorentina secured automatic entry into the Champions League.

"My wonderful experience with this side ends today. I thank all the players, directors, fans and everyone involved. I think it ends in the right way and is probably the right choice for both of us. The respect and affection remains with all the people who over the years participated in this adventure."

The split has been on the cards for some time, but Ancelotti continued to insist he had not lied when he said he was "100 per cent" sure of staying.

"We spoke about it after the game with [Vice-President Adriano] Galliani and [President Silvio] Berlusconi. We decided together to make this decision without problems. We part in sync and with no disagreements."

He is expected to join Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, especially after writing in his book about a meeting with Roman Abramovich.

"I cannot officialise my future because I do not have an agreement with any other club."

President Berlusconi did not always support his Coach in public, but again Ancelotti refused to criticise the patron.

"I have great respect and love for President Berlusconi. We've had a few disagreements over the years, but this is the day to thank him for eight wonderful years of my career.

"He let me spend nearly a decade at the helm of a great club that was at the top of world football, so my gratitude goes beyond the odd phone call.

"The decisions were made at the end of this season. It was a complicated campaign and we left it two months ago with the agreement we'd make the decision after the final game. That's what we did.

"I hope you'll know what my future is soon. London is not necessarily the guaranteed next stop."