Carlo Ancelotti: I Won't Play Mind Games With Chelsea's Rivals

Carletto is focused on controlling his emotions and absorbing the Premier League atmosphere - not on winding up his rival managers.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti does not intend to indulge in psychological warfare with his fellow Premier League bosses.

The so-called 'mind games' which Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has enjoyed playing over the years with rivals such as Kevin Keegan, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez, are not for Italian Ancelotti, who left his post at Milan to assume control of team matters at Stamford Bridge this summer.

Carletto is more concerned about immersing himself in his new job, and told MirrorFootball.co.uk that he has already sat in the dug-out at the Bridge in order to imagine how he will feel when his team embark on the quest to recapture the Premier League crown - starting with the visit of Hull City on Saturday.

The former Milan coach told the Mirror: “I’ve already been a few times to Stamford Bridge, to sit in the dug-out and try to get a feel of what it will be like for me.“Of course, there were no fans or players inside, so I only sat there, trying to imagine what it will be like.“Against Hull there will be a fantastic atmosphere I think, with all the singing and chanting.

But I haven’t imagined them chanting my name. It is better the fans chant for Chelsea, not Ancelotti.”He explained, “I’m ready to have a competition with Liverpool, with Manchester United and all the teams in the Premiership. But I’m not ready to do competition with my colleagues. They are my colleagues and I respect them all, but I have no battle with them. There’s only competition with their teams.”

He also gave an illuminating insight into the emotional aspects of being a top manager, telling the Mirror, “You’re more nervous when you are a manager. As a player, it’s a little bit different.“I was more quiet, more calm before the match. As a manager, I’m more nervous because, as a manager, you have more responsibility.

“No, I’m not superstitious, but I like to stay alone, to stay in the dressing room with my players and not speak a lot. What I like to do is explain to my players the situation on the pitch, what they have to do.“But it depends. If I feel calm and quiet, I like to speak with my players. If I’m nervous, I prefer to stay alone. I am able to control my nervousness.“Stress is not a negative word. It’s a positive. It helps you to stay focused.

“Then, at half-time, I decide what I need to say as well. It depends on the situation in the game. Usually, I don’t get angry. I was a player and I know very well what happens on the pitch - things don’t always go well.”He added, “What is important against Hull is how we play. This is the first game in the house of Chelsea, our house, the house for our fans.

“We have to create a very good atmosphere, to play together - players and fans. I hope this happens. It’s very important that we play well.”