Carlo Ancelotti, the accomplished Italian coach, recently shed light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics at Chelsea during his tenure. Despite winning the Premier League and FA Cup double in his debut season at the club, Ancelotti's success was continually measured against that of his predecessor, Jose Mourinho. Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea at the time, reportedly held Mourinho in high regard and often drew comparisons between the two managers.

One of the defining moments in Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea stint was the Champions League encounter with Mourinho's Inter Milan. The high-profile match proved decisive in shaping Abramovich's opinion of Ancelotti, as the Italian coach's side was eliminated by Mourinho's Inter. This event further solidified the notion that Ancelotti's success was being juxtaposed with Mourinho's achievements, ultimately contributing to his departure from Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho's legacy at Chelsea cast a long shadow over subsequent managers, with Ancelotti being one of the notable casualties. The enduring influence of Mourinho's charismatic leadership and previous accomplishments made it challenging for other managers to escape his shadow, as exemplified by Ancelotti's experience under the scrutiny of Abramovich.