Ashley Cole has opened up about the brutal sacking of Carlo Ancelotti, insisting the Italian was a truly “amazing” figure who understood the human being behind the player.
Carlo Ancelotti Was More Than Just a Coach to Me, Admits Ashley Cole
The former Chelsea left-back, widely regarded as the greatest in Premier League history, enjoyed an eight-year trophy-laden spell at Stamford Bridge.
He won the Premier League, four FA Cups, and the Champions League during 338 appearances. However, when reflecting on the coaches he played under, one stands out for reasons beyond tactics.
Speaking on the Could It Be Magic? podcast, Cole revealed the profound personal impact Ancelotti had on him during a difficult period in his life.
“He was amazing to play under. Just be around, he was like a good human,” Cole explained. “He treated you like a human.
We all have people that affect our lives in some way or help us through something. It was a period where he was the one that helped me through my stuff that was going on. So that’s why I have more of a bond with him.”
Cole made 83 appearances under Ancelotti, who led the Blues to a historic Premier League and FA Cup Double in his debut season.
The team shattered records, becoming the first in Premier League history to score over 100 goals in a campaign.
Ancelotti finished his tenure with an impressive 61% win rate, the third-best in the club’s league history at the time.
Despite this success, the club sacked him in ruthless fashion. Moments after the final game of his second season, the club dismissed him in the tunnel at Goodison Park.
A mid-season slump and a Champions League exit to Manchester United ultimately cost him his job.
For Cole, the decision cut deep. While Chelsea have had many world-class coaches, he credits Ancelotti with being the one who truly connected with the squad on a personal level.
The left-back’s comments suggest that in the ruthless pursuit of silverware, the club let go of a manager who offered something just as valuable: genuine humanity.
