Carlo Ancelotti on brink of quitting Chelse

Powerless? Carlo Ancelotti argues he has less sway than his title rivalCarlo Ancelotti is consideringhis future as Chelseamanager because of the waythe club are haggling over thesettlement for Ray Wilkins. The Italian has been appalled by thetreatment Wilkins has received sincehis shock dismissal as Ancelotti'sassistant this month. The Double winningboss is understood to haveconsulted the League Managers'Association over his future. Stamford Bridge officials dismissed rumours last night thathe had already quit as'absolute nonsense'. But the 51-year-old hasbecome more andmore disillusioned sinceclub owner RomanAbramovich took thesurprising decision tosack the Italian'strusted No 2 as well ashis lack of total control. He said after Saturday's1-0 defeat atBirmingham: 'You haveto compare me with (SirAlex) Ferguson. Ferguson has totalcontrol of the team. Iam just technicaldirection. Full stop.' Ancelotti and Wilkinshad formed a closebond and sources closeto the Chelsea managersay he is not sure he cancontinue to work forthe Russian billionaire. Ancelotti worked under a similarregime at SilvioBerlusconi's AC Milanand had grown used tohaving a proprietorwho made footballdecisions. But it is the mannerin which Wilkins hasbeen treated that ismaking Ancelottiquestion hiswill tocontinueafter less than 18months in the job. Tensions also remainhigh among staff overthe promotion offormer chief scoutMichael Emenalo toassistant coach. Close pals: Ancelotti and Wilkins formed a close bondWilkins is known to bedisgusted by the waythe club he served withdistinction as a playerand coach havesought to severtheir ties. Since Wilkins'sacking, thechampions havesuffered threedefeats in fourleaguegames. After Saturday's loss, Ancelotti said he expects to come in for criticism following Chelsea's dramatic slump in fortunes.He said: 'Obviously (criticism) can happen when the team don't win. There is more responsibility on the coach but this is normal. Struggling: Ancelotti's side, which has struggled since losing Ray Wilkins, is condemned to another defeat by lee Bowyer 'This is my job. If the team is not doing a good job, it is normal to have more responsibility. I don't have a problem,'Am I prepared for criticism? Yes, I am prepared. This is the life of the coach. This is a difficult moment but I think we are capable of moving on.'It is true we didn't play well last weekend against Sunderland but we played very well against Birmingham. Everyone who saw the game can say this.' Is this the end for Carlo Ancelotti?Birmingham 1 Chelsea 0: Superb Foster keeps league leaders at bay after veteran Bowyer scores for first time in a yearSee you in court? Wilkins takes legal advice after 'unfair' sacking by ChelseaCHELSEA FC

Source: Daily_Mail