Ancelotti shrugs off Hiddink legacy

Carlo Ancelotti is adamant he feels no pressure to match the success Guus Hiddink enjoyed during his fourth-month stay at Chelsea and insists the Dutchman is welcome to return to his former club.

Hiddink transformed the club’s fortunes after being drafted in on a temporary basis following the January dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari, culminating in May’s FA Cup final triumph over Everton.

The Dutchman has now returned to his full-time job with the Russia national team with Ancelotti formally taking charge on July 1 after ending his eight-year spell with AC Milan.

The new manager has been given an immediate chance to stamp his own imprint on the club with Chelsea set to face Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.

Ancelotti is aware that many senior Chelsea players pleaded with Hiddink to stay, but he claims he does not see his predecessor as a threat.

And he admitted he would like to compare notes with Hiddink, going so far as to invite the former coach to return to club whenever he likes.

“For me, Guus was a good coach,” said Ancelotti.

“He has worked very well wherever he has been. Now I want to do my best for Chelsea. I wanted to speak with Guus but I haven’t had the chance, we haven’t found the right time to meet.

“But maybe sometime in the future and if he wants to come I will be happy.”

Ancelotti has declared himself pleased with the progress his squad has made during his first month in charge.

“Everybody at the club has started very well,” he added. “I’ve been impressed with the organisation, mental attitude and good quality of the players.

“One month ago I started this adventure with Chelsea and after one month I can say that I’m still very well here because I have a good feeling. I feel a sense of something special.”

Victory over Premier League champions United will compound that feeling of well-being as well as striking a crucial early psychological blow against Ferguson and his team.

The Italian said: “I hope that at Wembley all the fans will see a good team that plays well because my objective is that Chelsea have to play very good football.

“This is my first objective. And I think on Sunday we will play against a team who can also play very well.”

Ancelotti has spoken of his desire to recreate the bond he built up at AC Milan which he has described as a family-type atmosphere.

And the upbeat mood of his first weeks in charge has even extended to the manager expressing his unlikely admiration of the London’s typically grey skies.

“After one month I feel at home,” he said. “I like the weather. I don’t like the sun. Every day, rain, rain very good.”