Chelsea fans: Raise an eyebrow to honor the return of King Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time since he was Chelsea manager. His sacking was a low point for Roman Abramovich, and all Blues should welcome him back for what he did a decade ago.

Carlo Ancelotti was arguably the highest-profile manager in the world when he arrived on English shores to manage Chelsea. A European heavyweight with a distinguished pedigree as a player and as a manager, the Italian was brought in to deliver the one trophy Roman Abramovich craved above all else: the Champions League. A long-drawn courtship between Abramovich and Ancelotti that lasted several years finally brought Ancelotti to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2009.

Carlo Ancelotti’s presentation to the media was streamed live across the globe on Chelsea’s website, a rarity in 2009.

Speaking in broken English, he tried to convey his ideas to the best of his ability. Amusingly, the word he used most in his maiden press conference was “irony,” which left a lot of native English speakers scratching their heads. Presumably, he meant “strength” or derivations thereof, and how Chelsea was a strong team with strong players in a strong league.

Strength of character, teamwork, et al were just some of the things he emphasized upon.

And rightly so. The Chelsea team of 2009 had players like Petr Cech, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Michael Ballack, John Terry, and Ashley Cole, to name but a few. There was no shortage of personalities in that dressing room, and now they had a manager who would have no trouble dealing with egos as big as theirs.

A distinctive raised eyebrow and a stone-cold stare would usually be enough to quell any signs of dissent or disharmony.

Ancelotti promised trophies, plus an entertaining style of play. Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea was a well-oiled machine, a battering ram of a team that took no prisoners. Ancelotti wanted to turn that battering ram into a precision instrument, capable of inflicting maximum damage with minimum fuss.

A record haul of 103 goals in one season was testament to his success in implementing that philosophy. Didier Drogba bullied defences into submission, Frank Lampard ran the midfield while Florent Malouda (remember him?), at last, looked like the player he was at Lyon. The season ended with Chelsea winning their first ever double – a Premier League and an FA Cup – while playing breathtaking football and changing the club’s perception in the minds of many neutrals.

However, the Champions League still eluded Chelsea. Despite a record-breaking season, Ancelotti was under pressure, as was the norm in the first decade of Abramovich’s ownership.

Ramires and Yossi Benayoun arrived to bolster the options available to Ancelotti, but Chelsea appeared no closer to progressing in the Champions League and were lagging behind their rivals in the Premier League.

And that’s when it all started to unravel.

Fernando Torres signed for a British record transfer fee in January and failed to find the net until a fortuitous puddle of mud set him up for a shot at goal sometime in April. David Luiz also joined the club, beginning his long journey of insubordination and abdication of responsibility with a shambolic display against Manchester United in the Champions League.

Chelsea lost their crown and finished nine points behind Manchester United in the league, while failing to win any other competition. That spelled the end of Ancelotti, a classy individual who could have been treated so much better by the club.

It was widely rumored that “King Carlo” was unceremoniously sacked in the tunnel at Goodison Park as soon as the final whistle blew on the last game of the season.

Whatever the truth, Ancelotti was the one manager who deserved another season at the helm.

Carlo Ancelotti showed the world that it was possible for a collection of players not known for flair and style to become the highest scoring side in the league. He proved that it was possible for an overseas manager to come into a high pressure job such as Chelsea and deliver instant results. He showed how a manager could be a father figure to his players but still retain their respect and maintain control over the dressing room.

But more than that, Carlo Ancelotti showed that one does not need to be an abrasive ass**** to win, that it is possible to be a dignified gentleman and still be a winner.

When King Carlo returns to the Stamford Bridge dugout on Sunday, raised eyebrow leading the way, he will undoubtedly receive a warm reception and a heartfelt round of applause. The Chelsea faithful have not had an opportunity thus far to thank him for all he did for their club.

On Sunday, there could not be a more joyous place in London, regardless of what happens on the pitch.