AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti insists speculation linking Chelsea's Jose Mourinho, among several big names, with his job never bothered him.
Now armed with a contract through to 2008, Ancelotti said: "I've never feared that Mourinho would take my job. No, not Mourinho, but there's been many. I did fear the other names being mentioned..."
Ancelotti was referring to Dutch coaching pair and ex-Milan teammates Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti has also all but admitted defeat in their pursuit of Lyon midfielder Mahmadou Diarra.
He said: "Diarra is a great midfielder, but Lyon will not sell him."
Now armed with a contract through to 2008, Ancelotti said: "I've never feared that Mourinho would take my job. No, not Mourinho, but there's been many. I did fear the other names being mentioned..."
Ancelotti was referring to Dutch coaching pair and ex-Milan teammates Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti has also all but admitted defeat in their pursuit of Lyon midfielder Mahmadou Diarra.
He said: "Diarra is a great midfielder, but Lyon will not sell him."
