Wilkins – Humor is Ancelotti’s recipe to success

(GSM) – Besides being a commanding manager, Carlo Ancelotti is said to share a close and humorous relationship with his players and backroom staff and Ray Wilkins believes this upbeat attitude of Ancelotti has played a major role in Chelsea’s success.

Chelsea has not won the title since 2006, a move which caused owner Roman Abramovich to entice Ancelotti to Stamford Bridge from AC Milan this summer.

Ancelotti often appears straight-faced and hesitant under the media spotlight but Wilkins has revealed the Italian has developed an impressive personal relationship with both players and staff at the club, some of which is based on humor.

“The way that he has treated the players on a personal level means he’s got the utmost respect from each and every one of them,” Wilkins said.

“He’s very knowledgeable on the game. He has dealt with the players in a fantastic fashion on a personal basis and I think we are seeing the rewards of that now.”

“He’s really a funny guy; he’s always joke-telling. It’s a bit hard to translate unfortunately. I speak with him in Italian when he has a little bit of a struggle.”

“He tells jokes to the players. He’s a football person and enjoys their company and obviously when things are going as well as they are at the moment then more jokes are told so we are having a good time.

“The players get involved as well; they bought him a pair of glasses when he was refereeing a game. He thinks he’s very good at refereeing.”

Wilkins also stressed that Ancelotti, who spent eight years as coach of Milan, does not lark about before matches. “In the dressing-room, it’s business time. Team talks, what have you, are business,” he said.

“The ability to be himself around the players, while at the same time ensuring they recognised the manger’s authority, is one of Ancelotti’s hallmarks,” he added.

“I’ve been extremely impressed from a personal point of view with Carlo,” the former Milan midfielder added.

Chelsea travels next to Blackburn on Wednesday night looking to reach the last four of the League Cup, which the Blues have won twice in the last four years.