I won't fall into Rafa and Fergie's trap, says Ancelotti
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Fearless Carlo: I won't fall into Rafa and Fergie's trap, says Ancelotti
Targets: Ancelotti is aiming for a domestic and European double in his first season at Stamford Bridge
Carlo Ancelotti has warned Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafa Benitez that he will rise above their mind games and win a stunning Barclays Premier League and Champions League double in his first season in English football.
The new Chelsea manager, who spent last season locked in a bitter rivalry with Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho, said he is battle-hardened enough to see off the Manchester United and Liverpool managers.
Ancelotti is used to working under pressure and had no hesitation in targeting a domestic and European double in his debut season at Stamford Bridge.
Asked what he would consider a success in his first campaign, he said: ‘The Premier League or the Champions League, or maybe even both. It won’t be easy but we will try to do it.’
The former AC Milan manager is familiar with the type of mind games which prompted last season’s bitter exchanges between Ferguson and Benitez as they duelled for supremacy in England.
Ancelotti said: ‘It happens all over the world, exactly the same. I will say this: little things worry little minds. I don’t care about that. I had a little bit with Mourinho. But it’s not something that bothers me.
‘What I worry about is getting the team ready, preparing the team to beat my opponents, to win against Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Head to head: Ancelotti is unfazed about doing battle with Benitez and Ferguson
‘I have respect for all of them. I like to play in the Premier League because it’s such an important championship and I want to win something.
‘It is not just about the Premier League. It’s also about Europe where we are in a position where we also want to win.’
Chelsea’s pre-season tour to the United States has been overshadowed by the transfer talk surrounding captain John Terry, who is expected to announce over the weekend if he is going to Manchester City.