[kdman]

I remember the Mourinho debate generated some heated arguments (with some getting personal), and the thread subsquently closed. But I believe it is a worthy topic, especially now that the Mourinho-to-Milan issue has resurfaced in the media.
Sources:The Times

Goal.com

Personal I would welcome him, as I rate very high. It certainly won't be step backward if he replaces Carlo. But who knows, it might just be media talk, but the story is certainly gaining momentum (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Rossoneri7]

Cool Ancelotti: Mourinho Speculation Spurs Me On 

With speculation suggestiung that Jose Mourinho will be appointed as the ne manager of AC Milan next season, the current job-holder, Carlo Ancelotti, says with a shrug that it just motivates him more...


Speculation linking Jose Mourinho with AC Milan does not faze the Rossoneri's incumbent, Fabio Capello, who would be the victim of any Mourinho appointment at the San Siro.

Mourinho took himself out of contention for the vacant England manager's job this week against a background of reports that the former Chelsea boss has been lined up to replace Ancelotti at Milan at the end of the season.

That would be enough to make most managers feel insecure, but Ancelotti remains phlegmatic about it all.

"I read an article in the Italian papers about Mourinho," the Italian told reporters in Yokohama, Japan, ahead of Milan's Fifa Club World Cup semi-final against Japan's Urawa Reds on Thursday.

"Milan were supposed to have offered him my job. They may have done but I haven't been informed by the club that there has been a formal offer.

"If Mourinho does want the job it just gives me extra motivation. External talk like that doesn't give me any added pressure."

Although Milan have struggled domestically this season and currently lie 10th in Serie A, 19 points adrift of leaders and city rivals Internazionale, Ancelotti sees no reason to panic.

"I'm simply concentrating on my job," he said. "I'm not distracted by rumours about Mourinho or whatever. I hope to carry on tomorrow as I did today."

Milan defender Alessandro Nesta is fully behind his current boss.

"We've worked together for a long time and we trust the coach," said Nesta.

"We have won many titles. We won the Champions League - that's why we're in Japan. We hope he stays."

Ancelotti also confirmed that striker Brazilian striker Ronaldo would be rested against Urawa in order to give him longer to get fit for Sunday's final.

"We talked with the medical staff and Ronaldo himself and decided not to risk him tomorrow," said Ancelotti.

"Obviously we hope Ronaldo will be fit to play in the final. You have to be careful and listen to the advice of the doctors in cases like this."

Ronaldo has hardly trained since suffering a calf strain while warming up for a Champions League game in Lisbon last month.

Ancelotti also revealed that club captain Paolo Maldini, playing in his final season before retiring, will make a rare start on Thursday.

Assuming Milan beat Urawa, the Rossoneri are likely to face Argentina's Boca Juniors in the final.

The South American champions play Tunisia's Etoile Sahel in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Goal.com



Forza Carlo Ancelotti (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/devil.gif) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/devil.gif)