Carlo Ancelotti: Jose Mourinho Didn't Take Chelsea To Champions League Final, Avram Grant Did

Blues boss also insists 'Special One' is not his friend...

Feb 20, 2010 3:10:00 PM

By Michael Landon

More On :  Chelsea FC, FC Internazionale
Carlo Ancelotti - Chelsea (PA)
Carlo Ancelotti is refusing to be drawn into a war of words with Inter boss Jose Mourinho as Chelsea prepare to face their former manager for the first time since he was sacked by the club.

Earlier this week Mourinho claimed that Chelsea had gone backwards since he was axed by Roman Abramovich in 2007, but Ancelotti refuses to play Mourinho's mind games, pointing out that Chelsea never reached the Champions League final under the 'Special One'.

"I think that Chelsea did a fantastic season also after Jose because Avram Grant did fantastic work here," Ancelotti is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"He got them to the final of the Champions League. Mourinho won a lot of trophies here, but the other managers also did a very good job."

Mourinho has claimed that Ancelotti is no friend of his but the Chelsea coach is untroubled by the revelation and admits the feeling is mutual.

"This is true," said Ancelotti. "But I've never said he is my friend also. We didn't go to eat together or drink wine together.

"Usually, when you go to eat and drink and drink one, two, three glasses of wine, usually you say the truth.

"You can have a good relationship about this. But we didn't. I've never asked him to do this. But that is no problem.

"In Italy, we don't usually have a glass of wine after games. Maybe this could be a good moment to improve our 'friendship'."

Mourinho's Inter side take on Chelsea in the first-leg of their Champions League tie at the San Siro Stadium next Wednesday.

 
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