Carlo Ancelotti eyes long Chelsea stay & more trophies
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Boss Carlo Ancelotti plans to
establish Chelsea as the leading force in English football after
winning the Premier League in his first season at the club.
The Blues last lifted the title in 2006 but thrashed Wigan 8-0 on Sunday to wrest it away from Manchester United. "I hope to stay here a long time and win a lot of titles," said 50-year-old Ancelotti, who joined Chelsea from AC Milan on a three-year deal last summer.
"We have a very good squad, for next year and the years after."
Ancelotti succeeded Guus Hiddink as the Blues boss on 1 July 2009 after eight years at the San Siro, where he won one Serie A and two Champions League trophies.
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Their bid was ended by Inter Milan in the first knockout round but they bounced back to win the Premier League and deny United an unprecedented fourth successive title.
Ancelotti now hopes to match Jose Mourinho's achievement in 2005 and 2006 of leading the west London side to back-to-back league titles.
But before then he could do something neither Mourinho or any other previous Chelsea boss managed by winning a league and FA Cup Double.
"Mourinho did some fantastic work and won two titles consecutively," said Ancelotti, whose side face Portsmouth at Wembley on Saturday. "This is my first and I hope to do the same as Mourinho.
Chelsea's triumph arrived despite six defeats and five draws over the course of a unpredictable season in the top tier.
The west London club eventually pipped United by a point and Ancelotti felt it was their league double over Sir Alex Ferguson's men - November's 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge and a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford in April - that made the difference.
"The key point, I think, was our victory at home and also, above all, in Manchester," he said. "They were the key for this title because that improved our confidence and sent United a little bit down."
Chelsea went into the final day knowing anything other than a victory would probably see United - who beat Stoke 4-0 - snatch the title.
"We had a fantastic season, not only by winning the Premier League but because we showed a good style on the pitch," said Ancelotti. "But we played much better in the second half. We played a good match and won, and that was our aim.
"To win this game and close this title. We are very happy and I want to say a lot of thanks: to my owner, Roman Abramovich; to my club and everyone who worked with me in this season, supporting me every day; and above all my players.
"I found a fantastic team here who worked very well every day, maintaining a good atmosphere as a team. We won this title because we played as a team and worked as a team, everyone.
"Manchester United stayed with us right to the end. I said it would go to the last game, so we have to be proud and happy that we won against such a fantastic team like United. They were a very good opponent."
Chelsea chairman Ron Gourlay said the club would back Ancelotti in the transfer market if he wished to strengthen his squad this summer.
"We have a mature side but also a very experienced side and if the correct player of the quality that Chelsea requires is available in the summer then the funds are there for us to take that opportunity," Gourlay told BBC Radio 5 live.
"Carlo will identify any players required for the club and we'll take it from there.
"It was very important for Chelsea to wrestle the title back from Manchester United. Three years without the Premier League for a club of our status is not the perfect world.
"It's very difficult to win the league but if you look at the last six years we have three each with Manchester United so we'll certainly be trying to push forward from here for next season."