Ancelotti relaxed about Chelsea future

Posted Saturday, April 09, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insisted Friday that his future at the club did not hinge on the outcome of his team's Champions League quarter-final with Manchester United.

The reigning English champions are facing up to the prospect of a trophy-less season after conceding a 1-0 first leg lead to United at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, who they trail in the Premier League by 11 points.

Chelsea have failed to win a trophy in only two other seasons under Russian owner Roman Abramovich, and on each occasion the manager was sacked.

However Ancelotti was bullish about his job prospects on Friday, believing that he enjoyed "100 percent" support from club chiefs.

"I don't think the decision on my future at the club rests on whether or not I win the Champions League," he said.

"The club knows me very well, knows my behaviour, and they will take their decision on that.

"Until now, the support is totally 100%. I don't have a problem with this."

Ancelotti meanwhile defended £50-million-striker Fernando Torres, who is yet to score a goal for the club in more than 10 hours of game time since joining from Liverpool in January.

"This is not a good moment for Fernando. But he has the support first from himself - his confidence - and from his manager and team-mates," Ancelotti said.

Ancelotti cited the example of Argentinian striker Hernan Crespo, who endured a lean spell when he was manager of AC Milan.

"Crespo went his first six months in Milan without scoring a goal," Ancelotti said. "He scored two goals in the final of the Champions League."