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Ashley Cole names best Chelsea manager, snubs Mourinho


Former Chelsea left-back, Ashley Cole has named Carlo Ancelotti as his favourite manager during his time at the club.

Cole spent eight years of his career at Stamford Bridge and worked under coaches like Jose Mourinho and Ancelotti.

The Blues were transformed into a dominant force domestically and serious contenders on the European stage by Mourinho.

Cole achieved FA Cup and League Cup successes under the Portuguese but had to wait for a first Premier League title with the Blues.

Ancelotti, as part of a double triumph, delivered that, and Cole believes the Italian is the finest manager he worked with in west London.

“I think the managers who suited my style were more attacking, which is how I had played at Arsenal.

“When [Luiz Felipe] Scolari came in I felt at my best. I felt I blossomed under him and got back to playing with confidence.

“Ancelotti was my number one. We played with tactics, obviously, but he gave you a freedom and I was able to attack. That double season in 2009-10 was probably my best season.

“It was the most I scored in a season, I felt I was unbeatable in defence and was linking up with others well.

“I had a great relationship with Florent Malouda on the left-wing, JT [John Terry] next to me and Frank [Lampard] on that left side of the midfield three. I was able to make runs in behind and was always in dangerous spots inside the box,” Cole told Chelsea’s official website.