Carlo Ancelotti Aims Dig at Jose Mourinho, Talks Lionel Messi and More

In a battle between the spending giants of European football, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has aimed a veiled dig at the way in which Jose Mourinho's Chelsea have come upon their rise in European football.

Speaking on Spanish national radio (h/t Spanish newspaper AS), the coach was asked about his side's chances of retaining the Champions League title and whether Bayern Munich were a threat.

He replied by revealing his fear of Chelsea, but he seemed unwilling to hand credit to former Madrid boss Mourinho: "More or less. Their (Bayern's) style hasn’t altered. Mourinho’s Chelsea have an improved squad. Well I should say, Abramovich’s Chelsea."

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Chelsea's evolution has spiked since Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003, while Real's history has been laden with success for decades, a longer-term project but undoubtedly helped by their own injection of cash.

The two managers have something of a mixed relationship and have each enjoyed terrifically successful career paths, which have crossed over one another at several junctures.

Ancelotti was one of the eight managers to have taken the Chelsea helm between Mourinho's first and second stints at the club. The pair also rivalled each other as managers of Milan and Inter prior to Ancelotti's Rossoneri exit in 2009.

The most intriguing common denominator between the two, though, has been their reigns at the helm of Real Madrid. Ancelotti has brought about equal or greater glory to Los Merengues in one season than Mourinho did in three at the Bernabeu.

Ancelotti's interview was wide ranging, and in light of recent comments by Lionel Messi that appeared to suggest he could leave Barcelona for another club, the Madrid boss gave his take on not only the Blaugrana star's future but that of his own talismanic forward: "These are specific moments in a professional career. A few years ago they were saying the same about Cristiano and now that’s changed, These things can change easily."

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The Italian tactician would undoubtedly be glad to see the back of Messi, the one figure who has consistently made Barca an El Clasico threat in recent years, despite all the other Camp Nou talents.

The reaction comes in relation to Messi's comments made in an exclusive interview with Argentinian newspaper Ole (h/t Sport), in which he reinforced Ancelotti's "anything is possible" attitude:

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As of today, I am living for the present. I am thinking about having a great year and winning all the titles we want to win with Barcelona - nothing more. After that, we'll see. Football has a lot of twists and turns.  As I've always said, I would like to stay [at Barça] forever, but sometimes you do not always get what you want. Especially in football, where there are so many changes and things happening. It is complicated, even more so given what is happening today at Barcelona.

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Having also taken over at the helm of Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, Ancelotti's career is up there with the most decorated in management history.

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However, he suggests Real is his biggest venture yet, and despite there being more than 18 months remaining on his current contract, Ancelotti is already eager to prolong his stay.

Asked if an extension is in sight, he said: "Soon I hope. To find a better club than this one is complicated. I am keen to re-sign, but there is plenty of time ahead."

Sky Football's Daniel Harris has hailed the coach's man management as being one of the key ingredients behind his success:

Ancelotti integrated quickly in the Spanish capital to win the Champions League during his first season with Real, but conquering La Liga is the next quest and a pursuit that's so far going to plan.

Overcoming the accomplishments of 2013-14 will be no simple feat, but in Ancelotti, the club has a brilliant mind at its helm, hoping to break new ground and deliver vast riches to Real Madrid's borders once again.