Chelsea manager is confident about his job after 2-0 win over Man City

LONDON - Carlo Ancelotti insists he does not fear for his Chelsea future despite suggestions by Chief Executive Ron Gourlay that the manager's position will be reviewed in May.

Ancelotti oversaw his side's 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday that moved the champion up to third in the Premier League, hours after Gourlay had spoken about the Italian's position to the BBC.

Gourlay said: "Carlo has a contract until end of 2012. Let's see where we are at the end of May then we'll judge the coach and other people at the football club."

But Ancelotti dismissed concerns he might not be at Stamford Bridge beyond the current campaign.

"I don't know what he said," Ancelotti said. "I'm working here. I'm happy to work here. You know my contract finishes in 2012 and I don't need to speak now about my contract.

"There is a year to run. Then we will take a decision.

"I'm happy in this moment. So I think we will continue."

Ancelotti admits his position has inevitably come under scrutiny during an inconsistent season marred with a two-month dip in form that has all but ruined the club's chance of retaining the title.

He said: "I know very well that this team slept for two months and, in that moment, I had fantastic support from the team.

"A lot of coaches that struggle for two months are at home watching the game on television. I am here, fortunately."

Chelsea's latest victory was secured by late goals from Brazilian duo David Luiz and Ramires after Fernando Torres again failed to break his scoring duck in his seventh appearance for his new club.

Ancelotti had started with Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka on the bench, pairing Torres with Salomon Kalou but the manager has no concerns about his forward's continued struggles in front of goal.

"It doesn't matter," he said. "With Fernando, apart from Liverpool, we've won all our games. I hope Drogba, Anelka and Kalou also start to score. But it's important this team has a good spirit because they're working very hard.

"Torres has to keep going. He doesn't have to lose his confidence. I haven't asked him to score. I've asked him to move well, and he has good movement. We have to be patient and so does he. The goal will arrive. I chose before the game against Copenhagen to put Drogba and Anelka against Copenhagen and Torres and Kalou against City, to give them the possibility to be fresh. I had to change them.

"Obviously, we have a game against Stoke and a game against United. I will take a decision before the games. I want to use all the strikers."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 03/22/2011 page24)