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Ancelotti’s snub reveals the extent to which top managers in Europe think unfavorably of the Chelsea job. In terms of performance in the Champions League in recent years, the Italian leads the pack with three final appearances and two trophies in the last six seasons. However, his teams are not exactly known for playing the type of football that Roman Abramovich wants to see, yet his money cannot buy.

With Mark Hughes* rejecting Chelsea to accept the relative comfort of Manchester City, the past 24 hours has seen both of Chelsea’s targets jilt them. It was previously rumored that Luiz Felipe Scolari might be handed the reins at Stamford Bridge, but the Brazilian had not been as forthcoming. Now the spotlight falls on Frank Rijkaard and Roberto Mancini, who was not really a choice until yesterday.

The manager’s role at Chelsea might mean lots of money, both to spend and to take home, but it also comes with an uncertain job description – one that expects the best of both worlds (good football and winning football). So, even Jose Mourinho‘s 6 trophy wins in 3 seasons was deemed not good enough. In the recent past, only two managers have proved that they can win the Champions League while playing attractive football – Frank Rijkaard and Sir Alex Ferguson. Considering the latter might not be too keen on uprooting his family to the south, Rijkaard now seems most likely to inherit the poisoned chalice.

* Mark Hughes deciding to leave Blackburn Rovers for Manchester City is surprising. Considering that Sven-Goran Eriksson was sacked by Thaksin Shinawatra, though the Swede led City to their best finish in recent years, the demands of the boss at City is just as uncertain. How long can Sparky last?

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