Carlo Ancelloti is the new Chelsea manager

Former AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelloti has been officially unveiled as the man who will take over at Chelsea.

Ancelloti’s expected departure from the Italian giants finally came yesterday as the 49-year-old took his leave “on mutual consent”. This morning Chelsea announced that he will start a three-year contract from July 1.

A statement on the club’s website read: “Carlo was the outstanding candidate for the job. He has proved over a long period his ability to build teams that challenged for, and have been successful in, major domestic and European competitions.

“He also had a highly successful playing career in those competitions and therefore brings unparalleled all round experience to the job.

The club’s billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has overseen a succession of managers since the departure of “the special one” Jose Mourinho in 2007. Avram Grant succeeded him, followed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, Ray Wilkins and Gus Hiddink in quick succession.

Hiddink brought a measure of calm to the London giants during his short term four month contract, leading the club to their first silverware in two years with the FA Cup.

Ancellotti will be charged with lowering the age of the team and targeting European glory in the Champions League. The dapper Italian twice savoured football’s most prestigious club trophy with AC Milan in the last five years.