Ancelotti hopes Lampard is 'able to do fantastic job' at Chelsea

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti lent his support to Chelsea's interim manager Frank Lampard and said he was sad to see the Blues struggle this season, ahead of their Champions League quarter-final clash on Wednesday.

Ancelotti, who guided Chelsea to the Premier League and FA Cup double in 2009-10, faces his former player Frank Lampard at the Santiago Bernabeu after the Englishman was appointed Chelsea's interim manager.

Chelsea have dropped to 11th in the Premier League after a run of poor results, and have also been knocked out of the FA Cup and League Cup. This despite spending well over $300 million on new players in January.

Now, the Champions League is the English club's last chance for silverware this season.

The outcome of the match could potentially help Lampard reclaim a permanent job with the English club, or influence Ancelotti’s decision on his future amid rumours of him taking over Brazil’s national team.

"I am sad, yes," Ancelotti said on Tuesday ahead of the first leg.

"I have a fantastic memory of this club, of the people that are still working there. I'm a supporter of Chelsea, of course, because I spent two really nice years there."

Ancelotti, who has a year left in his contract with Madrid, said he does not see himself returning to Stamford Bridge for a second stint.

"Be back? No, I hope that Lampard is able to do a fantastic job with them," added Ancelotti.

The Real Madrid coach did not think his extra years of experience compared to Lampard would make the difference in the tie.

"He has 20 years less experience, but that will not change what will happen in the game," continued Ancelotti.

"He was a fantastic player, extraordinary, he knows very well what can happen in these games but experience, in