Source: Daily_Mail
Carlo Ancelotti's blueprint for success gives Chelsea fans a reason to smile
Filed away in the libraryof Italian football'snational training centrein Coverciano is an academicessay written byCarlo Ancelotti.[LNB]It was submitted when Ancelotti wasstudying for his full coaching qualificationin 1997, and it is entitled Il futurodel calcio. Piu dinamicita. [LNB]The futureof football. More dynamism. [LNB]Roman Abramovich is unlikely tohave read it, but should he ever take aslight diversion on his next visit to Florence,he would probably find it mostsatisfying. [LNB] I did it my way: Ancelotti sings to the fans during Chelsea's victory parade yesterday[LNB]He would like Ancelotti'sline about how players must have 'greathuman qualities'; of how he wants tomake a 'small contribution' to the 'mostbeautiful game in the world'. [LNB]Abramovich may say it merely confirmswhat he already knows. That inAncelotti he finally has a manager whobelieves in giving the audience, andmore importantly the owner, what theywant. [LNB]Who believes as a double andthe 103 goals his Chelsea team scoreden route to winning this season's BarclaysPremier League title demonstrate in attractive, attacking football. [LNB]Ancelotti made it clear after Saturday'sFA Cup victory that he would liketo stay at Chelsea for 10 years. [LNB]The Italian has two more years on hiscontract and, while he made no suggestionthat talks were imminent, he said:'I'm happy to sign a new contract. Stabilityis important and if we can worktogether for a long time it's better. [LNB]'It's also important for the manager,because it's not easy if you're changingclub every year. After this first season, ifthey asked me how long I want to stayhere I would say maybe 10 years. [LNB] History maker: Ancelotti guided Chelsea to their first ever Double[LNB]'Thatwouldn't be bad, especially if every seasonis like this season.' [LNB]In 1997, Ancelotti was the 37-year-oldmanager learning his trade in charge ofa Parma side boasting little more thana young Gianluigi Buffon in goal. Havingguided Reggiana into Serie A theprevious season, he noted how the naturalinstinct of coaches concerned withkeeping their jobs was to defend. [LNB]'The desire to have results immediatelyand therefore the consequent fearof being sacked has driven managers tolook hard for this particular aspect,'writes Ancelotti in his thesis. [LNB]Double Deliverers[LNB]'Many managers have devoted a greatdeal of their time to finding a solutionthat will be most efficient to interruptingand inhibiting the capacity of theopposition attack. [LNB]'It is difficult to findteams who, independently of having agood man-to-man or zone, do not havea good organised defence. [LNB]'I believe that the future evolution ofthe game will be to improve attackingsolutions, with more time dedicated totactics but at the same time keeping abalance between defence and attack. [LNB]'Therefore the objective for the futurewill be to play football that is evermoredynamic and I believe that this conceptof dynamism will improve over timebecause the quick flow of the game, itsunpredictability and variety of playsare all important weapons in the developmentof football.' [LNB]Educated in football at AC Milan anda member of the great side who wonthe European Cup in 1989 and 1990,Ancelotti really began to express himselfwhen he then became manager atthe San Siro, achieving ChampionsLeague glory in 2003 and 2007. [LNB]In particular,through the genius of Kaka.But long before then, Ancelotti knewwhat he wanted to deliver. [LNB]'There isalways a high demand from the publicfor a product that is ever more spectacularand enjoyable and that givesvalue for money,' he writes. [LNB]'Today, though, we see a high numberof matches that are not enthralling orexciting.[LNB] Glory boys: The Blues have excelled under Ancelotti[LNB]'The public are looking forexcitement and this excitement isdeveloped by swift solutions, offering avariety of attacks, with the ultimateaim of arriving at our target: the goal! [LNB]'During the last few years, and especiallyin Italy, a lot of time has beendedicated to tactics in the game. If inthe defensive phase the concept ofdynamism is given to pressing andoffside, in the offensive phase it is givenover to movement off the ball and thespeed of thought of passing. [LNB]'To give efficiency to the game it isindispensable that movement off the ball and passing are perfectly synchronized. [LNB]'Therefore, the concepts of spaceand time are important for a managerin the tactics of any attacking game. [LNB]'If, between the person who passesthe ball and the person who receives it,there is no synchronisation then thisconcept of dynamism will be missing.'[LNB] The big one: Ancelotti with the Premier League trophy[LNB]Ancelotti's respect for the paying fansis central to his philosophy. 'First youhave to win,' he said last Sunday. [LNB]'Buthow you win is then important.' [LNB]In Coverciano, Ancelotti communicateshis vision in a stirring conclusion. [LNB]'It is my conviction that football willhave to go along the road of attack togive the spectators the excitement theyare losing as a consequence of achievingresults at any cost,' he writes. [LNB]'Managers must, above all, be givenby their clubs as calm as possible aworking environment. That way theycan achieve their football beliefs withoutany excessive restrictions. [LNB]'It is important, therefore, to devoteas much time as possible to trainingbecause this will improve the quality ofthe team, bearing in mind that footballis a team game and the No 1 role of anymanager is to get his 11 players to movewith as much synchronicity as possible. [LNB] European conquerer: Ancelotti hopes to replicate the Champions League success he had with AC Milan at Chelsea[LNB]'If football is to develop it is not justthrough players but also through menwho have great human qualities suchas a spirit of sacrifice, desire forimprovement and altruism. [LNB]'If these qualities are available, we willreach our objective more easily and cansay we've given our small contributionto football, so that it can continue to bethe most beautiful game in the world.' [LNB]If Ancelotti's stated aims in 1997 havecome to fruition, his priority now isreinforcing his squad. [LNB]'We will speaktogether and take a decision on playersfor next season, no problem,' he said. [LNB]Those signings will have to buyinto Ancelotti's craving for beautifulteamwork, to be enjoyed by billionaireowners and paying spectators alike. [LNB] PICTURE SPECIAL: Chelsea show off their pots as they parade west London streets to celebrate Double Chelsea chief insists owner Roman Abramovich will stay 'indefinitely' Chelsea star Cole sets record for FA Cup wins after Portsmouth sunk Captain Terry praises 'unbelievable' Chelsea but blasts Wembley pitch[LNB]
