Chelsea target Carlo Ancelotti

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted Paolo Maldini snubbed the opportunity to join his coaching staff at Stamford Bridge.

Rumour had suggested Maldini would follow his former boss to West London after retiring at AC Milan at the end of last season.

But Ancelotti has revealed that the ex-Italy international has turned down the chance to join him in England because he wants a break from football.

"I made that proposal to him," said Ancelotti in an interview with Radio Deejay.

"But he wanted to take time off and after so many years playing, it's understandable.

"But if I could have taken anyone to Chelsea, it would have been Maldini."