CARLO ANCELOTTI thinks Frank Lampard is the right man to sort out Chelsea.
The Real Madrid boss, who led Blues to the Premier League title in 2009-10, insists he will never return to west London.
But he has no doubts that Lampard, who he managed during his two-year stint in London, could enjoy success in this shock second spell as manager, albeit on an interim basis.
Ancelotti said: “I have a fantastic memory of Chelsea.
“I am a supporter of the club. But go back? No.
“I think Lampard is the right man and he will do a great job with them.
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“Lampard is a very good coach, he has a great team and he knows how to prepare big matches.”
Asked about the Blues’ current situation, Italian Ancelotti added: “I am sad as I have fantastic memories and know a lot of people there.
“I had two fantastic years there.”
Ancelotti will be hoping for a similar result to last year’s quarter-final, when Real beat Chelsea 5-4 on aggregate thanks to two late goals in the second leg.
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Real then squeezed past Manchester City 6-5 on aggregate in the semis and beat Liverpool 1-0 in the final for a 14th European crown.
Asked if his team were maybe a bit fortunate to lift the trophy, Ancelotti said: “Real Madrid lucky in the Champions League? We deserved to win.
“If you come back, it means you want to win it more. It’s not luck.”
Real defender David Alaba knows his team will have to be at their best.
He said: “We don’t underestimate Chelsea.
“The changes they’ve made could influence things in some way — and we know it.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk