Carlo keen to coach Ivory Coast

After also revealing a desire to eventually return to old club Roma, Ancelotti has also let slip an ambition to manage at international level - with a preference for either his Chelsea striker Didier Drogba’s heralding nation, who recently qualified for next year’s World Cup, or his native Italy.

"Me, the Italy coach? I would like to in the future, but not now. I am Italian, and so I would like to coach La Nazionale," he said.

"I would like to coach an African side. The Ivory Coast is a fantastic side for example."

The 50-year-old’s comments come in the same week that he made public his intentions to return to the Eternal City, where he spent eight years as a player.

"I would love to return to Roma. It would be the only Italian club I would go to,” said Ancelotti, who won the 1982 Scudetto with the Giallorossi.

However, regardless of offering journalists an insight into his potential future, Ancelotti insisted he is currently very happy in London, despite finding it difficult to master a new language.

"It's improving. It's difficult but I'm trying hard," he said.

"If I get angry I shout in Italian but that's basic phrases that everyone understands."

Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.