By Ryan Benson
3 May 2011 21:55:00
Florent Malouda, Chelsea (Getty Images)
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Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda has issued public backing for manager Carlo Ancelotti, believing the Italian should still be at the helm next season.
Ancelotti has faced much speculation ever since the back-end of 2010, much of which coincided with the club’s worst run in ten years, a sequence that saw them residing in fifth place in January.
Last season, the Italian helped the Blues win their first league title in three years as Manchester United won the previous two with Jose Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Avram Grant all falling victim to the Chelsea hierarchy.
Yet reports continue to run that he could lose his job if the success of last season isn’t replicated, whilst it is believed that Roma are courting the former Italian international but Malouda has said that he hopes Ancelotti remains as Chelsea manager next year.
“It’s unfair. He’s one of the greatest managers. He’s good tactically. He’s brought stability to the club, won the double at the first attempt,” he said according to the Daily Telegraph.
“Because we are now out of three competitions and six points behind United, people outside are saying Chelsea should change everything. But all the big clubs have stability.
“Everybody seems to want to put pressure on Ancelotti but he’s really cool. He knows the squad support him. That’s the most important thing for him.
“I want Ancelotti to stay. Players come and go but the manager is the key. We can win the Champions League under him one day.”