Chelsea turn to Spalletti

Hughes is set to be named Manchester City's new manager, while Ancelotti ruled out a move away from Milan on Tuesday.

Although the Blues have also been linked with the likes of Roberto Mancini and Marcello Lippi, it is another Italian who is now reportedly winning the race to succeed Avram Grant.

Milan's vice-president Adriano Galliani stated last Saturday that Ancelotti and "another Italian coach were top of Chelsea's wish list" although he refused to divulge the name of the second man.

Spalletti was named Serie A Coach of the Year in 2006 while last season he helped Roma become the first ever side to defeat Real Madrid in both legs of a Champions League clash.

Although the 49-year-old is not the obvious candidate to replace Grant, he revitalised Udinese during his three-year spell with the club while also guiding Roma to second in Serie A last season.