Ancelotti bound for Bridge - Mourinho

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claims he has been told by friends at Stamford Bridge that Carlo Ancelotti will be in charge next season.

Speculation has been rife in Italy and England that Ancelotti will leave AC Milan for Chelsea in the summer, with the Rossoneri possibly set to make an announcement on his future on Monday.

"My friends at Chelsea tell me it will be Carlo," he told Sky Italia. "Some players are asking me the typical question: 'Gaffer, will he be good for us, do you think it will be positive?'"

He added: "I responded that he seems to me to be a very well prepared coach, very close to his players who can create an atmosphere of great empathy with his players and if he adapts well to Chelsea, he has a group of players who are waiting for a good coach in order to win because it is a squad that wants to win."

Mourinho, who left Chelsea in 2007 after three years at the helm, believes Ancelotti should jump at the chance.

He added: "If Carlo goes or not it is his problem and if he goes to Chelsea, I will wish him all the best.

"And if he asks my opinion, I will tell him that with these players and with this club, he should not think too much because it is a great adventure for him."