Two Italians walk into a bar…

Well it was bound to happen. It had to, there was no escaping the inevitable. In an age where every major player and/or up and coming player is either in the EPL or heading toward the EPL, top tier managers were bound to follow the trail of money. Today comes news that two of Italy’s brightest coaching lights may be heading to England. Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto Mancini have put out strong hints that the EPL has called and they are answering. Ancelotti is strongly tipped for a move to Chelsea, and Mancini could end up in Sunderland.
Of the two the Mancini move is the one that has the Dallas office all buzzing. Sunderland was recently taken over by Dallas billionaire Ellis Short, and hiring a manager with the credentials of Mancini will only further the credibility of the new ownership. As for Ancelotti, his status as a superstar manager is cemented with some great seasons with AC Milan. The only thing missing on his resume is winning overseas and at multiple clubs. Yet is the Chelsea job too much of a poisoned chalice for someone of even Ancelotti’s talents? I for one believe the rigorous training regimen he implemented in Milan will go over well in North London.
Update: Well reports coming out of England now put Steve Bruce as the front runner for the Sunderland job. There’s a reason why the summer is called the “silly season”. Still Mancini’s agent does confirm interest from English clubs.