A C Milan's Ancelotti may replace axed Scolari

London, Feb.10 (ANI): The Chelsea Football Club has said that it is interested in hiring A C Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti to replace axed Brazilian coach Phil Scolari.SunSport understands Ancelotti had already been lined up to take over from Scolari this summer.

The Brazilian's abrupt departure yesterday saw owner Roman Abramovich trying to accelerate a deal, but Milan are unlikely to release Ancelotti in mid-season.

The Italian coach turned down the job at Stamford Bridge last summer before it was eventually offered to Scolari.

But an agreement with Milan he would leave at the end of this season had already been brokered and now Chelsea has reopened negotiations.Milan has lined up their former player and ex-Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard to take over at the San Siro for 2009-10.Only Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi can allow Ancelotti to leave before the end of the season.

If that permission is refused, Chelsea may be forced to hire a caretaker until the summer.

Avram Grant, who left the club last May, has been mentioned as a possibility but would be an unpopular choice with the players. (ANI)