According to The Sun, Chelsea have earmarked Carlo Ancelotti, the AC Milan coach, to take over as manager after they sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari yesterday. And the British tabloid also claims that the high-ups at San Siro have set their sights on the currently out-of-work Frank Rijkaard to take the Rossonero reins. Scolari was ejected from the Stamford Bridge hot-seat on Monday afternoon, after the weekend's frustrating 0-0 draw with Hull City saw the Blues slip down to fourth in the Premier League table. A host of names have already been linked with the position, including Guus Hiddink, Roberto Mancini, Gianfranco Zola and, remarkably, Avram Grant. But these latest reports suggest that the London club's owner, Roman Abramovich, wants Ancelotti - who was offered the job last summer before Scolari's appointment - to resurrect his drowsing giants. The 49-year-old's footing at Milan is less than secure at the minute, as his still lag in the Scudetto race after failing to capitalise on Juventus and Inter's slip-ups in recent weeks.

Nevertheless, it is thought that the Italian giants won't consider swinging the axe until the end of the season, at which point they are expected to make a move for Rijkaard. The Dutchman has been tracked by a number of clubs since quitting Barcelona last year; Chelsea, curiously enough, are understood to be his biggest admirers. However, the former Diavolo favourite supposedly rejected Atletico Madrid's advances after they booted Javier Aguirre last week, which has led to two separate lines of speculation: either he is not ready to return to coaching, after a tumultuous end to his Barca career; or he has already lined up another gig. It remains to be seen whether either appointment eventuates, especially as the Pensioners are expected to give caretaker boss Ray Wilkins an opportunity to stake his claim.

Chelsea Owner Abramovich Personally Sacked Scolari - Spokesman

Following the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari as Chelsea manager today, a spokeman for the coach has insisted that the ultimate decision to dismiss the World Cup winner was taken by Chelsea's multi-billionaire owner Roman Abramovich. And Acaz Fellegger also insists that 'Big Phil' had the backing of Chelsea's chief excutive Peter Kenyon right up until the end. "It seems that Abramovich made the decision," Fellegger told newspaper Lance earlier. "He [Scolari] was not in a comfortable situation despite having the support of the squad and Peter Kenyon."

The spokesman also idenitified what he, and perhaps Scolari himself, felt was the real problem at the club: a lack of youth and vibrancy in the first-team. He also brought up the old issue of Robinho's failure to sign for the west Londonders.

"The Chelsea squad are old," Fellegger continued. "Felipe tried to rejuvenate it, but unsuccessfully. "He asked [the board] to sign Deco and Robinho, but they only bought Deco."

The problem Scolari had with speaking English was never an issue though, according to Fellegger. Scolari did well to reach the level of competence he attained in the language in such a relatively short time. "The English language has never been an issue for him as he has given many interviews in English," the spokeman added.Scolari himself also issued a statement via Fellegger's website confirming that he would speak directly to the media very soon, and wishing his former club all the best."I wish luck to Chelsea in the three competitions they are involved in," the statement read."I also take this opportunity to confirm that I will keep living in London and I will respond to the media soon."