Hiddink warns Ancelotti to brush up on English

Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink has lightened the mood ahead of the last major football match of the English season by warning his successor, Carlos Ancelotti, to brush up on his English before he joins the club next season.

Ancelotti’s departure from AC Milan is virtually certain, with the Italian manager set to take control of Chelsea when Hiddink departs Chelsea following the FA Cup final.

“First of all, the club have to announce who will be the next manager. But on the specifics, I know Ancelotti personally,” Hiddink said at a press conference on Wednesday.

“I’ve met him several times. The last time at Jaap Stam’s testimonial farewell game in Holland. He and I were on the same bench coaching the 1998 Dutch team against the side where Jaap had his first game. We have a nice game and a nice evening together.”

“He’s a very nice person - direct and open. Seeing his career in Italy, his playing career but also his managing career, it’s full of prizes and experience.”

Hiddink warned Ancelotti that his time spent coaching in Korea had taught him that a basic knowledge of the local language, and swearwords in particular, was important for any manager looking to achieve success abroad.

“I didn’t speak Korean, though I learned a bit - the bad words always first!” explained Hiddink. “Koreans are almost too polite to do so, but the players always teach you the dirty words.”

“They say: ‘When you talk to the president, use this word and that word’. So, all of a sudden, you have a president reacting: ‘How can this man say that’. That’s nice, always, to do those tricks. I like it very much when they do that. But learning the language is important.”