Relaxed Ancelotti plotting his return to Premier League

With Gunners boss Arsene Wenger under pressure following a poor start to the season, the 52-year-old Italian admits he would be keen on the job although he would also consider applying at Tottenham or Liverpool too.

“I have a strong will to remain in England,” Ancelotti told Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

“For a coach, this is the ideal country.

“But I would only consider top clubs, including Tottenham and Liverpool.

“It’s evident that Wenger’s bench is wobbling and that in several months’ time, an English coach will be appointed to replace (England manager Fabio) Capello in the national team, which will free up a place in a club.”

Ancelotti has been out of a job since being dismissed by Chelsea in May after two seasons at the helm.

He was linked this summer with a move to Roma but he is happy to play the waiting game.

“I am in no hurry, I promise,” he said. “The fact that I’m not coaching does not cause me anguish.

“In fact, I am enjoying life.”

n Bolton manager Owen Coyle is backing his team to climb the Premier League table after they gained no rewards from a “horrendous” run of games.

Coyle took encouragement from his side’s second-half performance against Chelsea on Sunday, despite the 5-1 outcome in the Blues’ favour.

Bolton’s sixth successive league defeat since their convincing opening day win over QPR came following a poor first-half display in which the visitors scored four times without reply in the opening 27 minutes.

Bolton have already had to play Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal as well as Chelsea in the league this term, but next up are neighbours Wigan, with games against Sunderland, Swansea, Stoke and West Brom to follow.

Coyle said: “We knew from the outset of the season that it was certainly a horrendous fixture list in terms of playing five of the teams that will finish in the top six.

“We have come out of those games with no points, but we have to pick ourselves up.

“We are now going into a group of games that I certainly believe we can win points from and start to move up the league.”

n Niall Quinn has stood down as Sunderland chairman to focus on a new role within the club.

The former Black Cats striker will now “spearhead international development on behalf of the club” while owner Ellis Short will take over as chairman.