Carlo Open To Chelsea Return  (Sky Sports)

Former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti says he would be open to a return to Stamford Bridge - but believes Jose Mourinho will not be sacked, despite the club's current plight.

The Italian also confirmed he had no contact with Liverpool with regards to their managerial position prior to the appointment of Jurgen Klopp last month.

Chelsea have endured a wretched start to the season - their worst for 37 years - and are currently languishing in 16th place in the Premier League table, having lost seven of their opening 12 matches.

Ancelotti led Chelsea to a Premier League and FA Cup double during his first season in charge in 2009/10, but was sacked just a year later by owner Roman Abramovich after failing to build on that success.

"I would have no problem with Chelsea," he told the Daily Mail.

"But Jose won't be sacked. They already choose to keep him, and I think they made a good choice."

Ancelotti feels the Premier League champions' terrible start to the campaign has been down to a lack of motivation, rather than poor management on the part of Mourinho.

The 56-year-old also threw his support behind the Portuguese, who he believes will get the Blues out of their current predicament.

He added: "Sometimes you can't explain why things happen... what is going wrong. It is a mystery. How did we lose (with AC Milan) in Istanbul when we were three goals up against Liverpool at half-time? You expect the opponent manager to put on a striker, but he puts on a midfielder

"I look from a distance at Chelsea and I think they won the title easily last year and I don't think they are so motivated this year.

"It's true that the manager has to be able to motivate players, but the manager cannot motivate a player if the player is not self-motivated. It's impossible. They have lost something and it's difficult to change like a switch. You have to work slowly to change.

"But Mourinho is one of the best managers in the world, no doubt. I look at his body language and he's OK. He is not so worried. He has confidence. During the Dynamo Kiev game, the supporters were singing his name. He'll sort it out."

Ancelotti has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid at the end of last season after having had his contract terminated by the club.

He was linked with a return to management following the sacking of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool in October.

Despite admitting his desire to work in the Premier League once again, Ancelotti says the Merseyside club made no approach for his services prior to making Klopp their new manager.

"I would like to come back to work in England," he said.

"I love the football here, I still have a house in London, and I would like to be with a team that is competitive in England and in Europe.

"I think Liverpool are a good team. They have some really good young players - Coutinho, Firmino, Benteke. If they can find an experienced player like Gerrard or Carragher - an example to the squad - I think they can be really competitive.

"But I did not speak with them. If I spoke with them, I can say "yes", but no, I did not."