Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti sacked

Chelsea owner loses patience with Ancelotti after barren season

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti sacked

Chelsea owner loses patience withu00a0Ancelotti after barren season

Ancelotti was denied the meeting he was expecting with the club's hierarchy next week and was given his marching orders by chief executive Ron Gourlay following the club's 1-0 Premier League defeat at Everton.

Press Association Sport understands that was pre-planned, with the club keen to resolve any uncertainty about Ancelotti's future before the players went on holiday next week. The search now begins for the Italian's successor, who will become Chelsea's seventh manager in the eight years since Abramovich's takeover.

Carlo Ancelotti

The men who may replace Ancelotti...

Guus Hiddink
The hugely successful and experienced Dutchman is reportedly owner Abramovich's number one choice. Hiddink rescued Chelsea's season when he joined on a caretaker basis two years ago as he won the FA Cup and was desperately unlucky not to reach the Champions League final. Although he may favour a sporting director role.

Andre Villas-Boas
Villas-Boas is currently the hottest young coach around. Dubbed the new 'Special One' after breaking several records set by Jose Mourinho at Porto, the 33-year-old knows Stamford Bridge well having worked as a scout under his fellow Portuguese. He would be a gamble but he won the Portuguese treble this season. (Europa League, Portuguese League and the Portuguese Cup).

Marco Va Basten
The former Holland boss has become a leading candidate following suggestions Hiddink recommended him to Abramovich as an alternative to himself.

Pep Guardiola
Guardiola plays the fantasy football Abramovich craves. But would he want to leave Barcelona when he has a number of the best players in the world at his disposal?

Avram Grant
Grant guidedu00a0 Portsmouth and West Ham to relegation in successive seasons, but he reportedly retains the ear of Abramovich from his spell in charge, which saw him become the only man to lead the club to a Champions League final.

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