Chelsea looking at Ancelotti for long term

Chelsea are aiming for manager Carlo Ancelotti to stay at Stamford Bridge in the long term after clinching the Premier League title.

With the Italian bringing the title back to West London, Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay is hoping the he may be prepared to spend a decade at the helm.

"It is a pleasure working with the guy," said Gourlay. "The plan is to work with Carlo for five to 10 years. I think stability would be good for the club going forward and when we start to bring the young players forward.

"Carlo is definitely here for the long term. He is not a coach who moves around, even in his playing days. I am sure he will be around for many years to come.

"We have won the Premier League and hopefully we can win the double. But then we have to look at next season because it is important that we continue on."

Gourlay also confirmed that the likes of Michael Ballack and Joe Cole have yet to be offered new contracts as the club attempt to reduce their wage bill.

He added: "We decided a couple of months ago not to talk about any new contracts or any comings and goings at the football club until the last game of the season.

"The plan is to keep that the same. Our approach has been spot on and hopefully we will be able to add the FA Cup next week. But we are respectful of Portsmouth and it will be tough game.

"We have given the players no indication about contracts at all. We made it very clear that the time for talking about these things is at the end of the season.

"That is the way forward for future seasons and that is the way it should be. As a contract nears its end there is a time to open up the conversation, but it should never get in the way of football.

"The bottom line here is that Carlo will recommend any players that he wants in the squad next year. We will sit down at the appropriate time at the end of the season and evaluate that."

 
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