Report: Chelsea would consider hiring Ancelotti if he becomes available

Chelsea could attempt to rehire Carlo Ancelotti if he decides to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, sources told ESPN's Mark Ogden.

Ancelotti, who won the Premier League and FA Cup with the club in 2009-10, has a contract with Madrid until June 2024. But his position is reportedly under threat with Los Blancos out of the running for the La Liga title.

Chelsea are looking for a permanent successor to Graham Potter after appointing former midfielder Frank Lampard on an interim basis on Thursday. Potter was dismissed following a run of just seven wins in 22 Premier League matches.

The club's shortlist of managers also includes out-of-work coaches Luis Enrique, Julian Nagelsmann, and Mauricio Pochettino. Ancelotti is perhaps the least likely to accept the job, having stated Friday he's happy at "the best club in the world."

But the affable Italian would fit into the model Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is trying to set up at Stamford Bridge. Boehly reportedly envisions Chelsea's next head coach working in tandem with technical directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, who oversee recruitment, scouting, and data, and Ancelotti has extensive experience in such a role. The 63-year-old had success under AC Milan's meddlesome former owner Silvio Berlusconi and Roman Abramovich during his first stint at Chelsea, and he maintains a good relationship with Real Madrid's larger-than-life president, Florentino Perez.

Ancelotti has also fielded interest from the Brazilian national team.