CHELSEA - HIDDINK, ANCELOTTI

Much talk around Chelsea FC today that Roman's nervy finger may be hovering above the trigger re Ancelotti. Given funds and time (much as was the case with Big Phil Scolari) I am sure the Italian would turn Chelsea into a force again, but Roman does not have much respect for the virtues of patience. I am told that he misses Guus Hiddink, that he liked the big Dutchman being around the place - and that he would be the No 1 choice (also among the players) if Carlo bites the bullet.

ANCELOTTI ENGLAND

...and that it may not be Harry Redknapp who becomes the next England manager. Insiders at the FA tell me that they are looking seriously at the claims of Carlo Ancelotti to take over from fellow Italian Capello. Unlike Capello, he speaks English fluently and is more of a communicator (ie less distanced). Also, his record at Chelsea and AC Milan speaks for itself...and he would like the job!

ALLARDYCE WEST HAM

Just heard from 'a source' (as they say in the game!) that Sam Allardyce is the man most likely to take over from Avram Grant if, as expected, he goes within the next fortnight...

NEWCASTLE, ALAN PARDEW, MIKE ASHLEY

JUST seen that Newcastle have appointed Alan Pardew as their manager. That in itself not a shock (although I don't see what credentials he has for the job apart from being a mate of Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias).

But the really big shock is this - he has been given a FIVE AND A HALF YEAR CONTRACT!!!

Jeez, the way Ashley runs such a fine, proud club is unbelievable. He gets rid of a man who has done well (Hughton) and brings in a bloke who has proved nothing - and then gives him a deal that is longer than any manager in the game (including Sir Alex, Ancelotti and Wenger).

Pardew will be lucky to be there in FIVE AND A HALF MONTHS, let alone five and a half years! Then, the Toon will have to pay him up for the FIVE YEARS he doesn't work for them - at a time when cash is in short supply. Absolute bloody madness...

Laurent Blanc pushes his credentials for Manchester United

Meant to say this after France's emphatic 2-1 win over England at Wembley last week...

Laurent Blanc has yet again reinforced his case to be considered as one of the three favourites for the Manchester United job (along with Mourinho and Moyes) when Fergie finally hangs up his chewing gum for good.

He did a fine job previously at Bordeaux, guiding them to the 2009 league and cup double and took over a mess after Raymond Domenech's reign rightly collapsed after the fiasco suffered by the Frencg in South Africa.

Already Blanc has turned things around - bringing much more vitality, creativity and energy to the French national side, as exemplified by their easy demolition of England.

If the United board decide Mourinho would only come in for a couple of years - and would pay no attention to youth development etc as is his usual way - Blanc would rival Moyes as a serious empire builder at Old Trafford. And Blanc has also the advantage of playing at Old Trafford at the end of his career.

He might just be l'homme spécial...

Messi, Ronaldo, Mourinho, Guardiola...and Mark Hughes!

Well, that was a shock result was it not - 5-0 to Barca as they crushed Real Madrid at the Old Camp last night (it should be renamed the Old Camp rather than the Nou Camp as it is such an old crumbling wreck of a stadium - or at least it was when I last visited it three years ago).

I am sure Jose Mourinho will have been up most the night following the crash plotting how he can reshape his team to make it more like his bonecrushing Inter outfit of the previous season. I am not convinced by his three summer signings - di Maria can run like a greyhound but is not in the same class as Antonio Valencia, Luis Nani, Ashley Young or Florent Malouda, let alone Messi and Ronaldo. Marty Feldmen, sorry Mesut Ozil has gone backwards since the World Cup and Sami Khedira looked a journeyman holding midfielder.

But, apart from the scoreline, the biggest shock of the night - for me, anyway - was the sight of Mark Hughes on the touchline as part of the SkySport's analysis team.

In the middle of a week when he would surely have been better advised to stay in the cold of London to work on his struggling Fulham team, he is out in Spain being paid money he surely does not need for work he surely does not need.

If I were Mohamed Al Fayed or any of those Fulham players looking for inspiration as a relegation battle looms, I would be a bit peeved at the sight of the manager enjoying a nice little earner over in Spain...

ANDY CARROLL ENGLAND

Andy did good against France for England - as I said he would!

He was big and confident in the air but, more impressively, was also excellent on the ground for a big fella. One little jink past two defenders in the first half would have left any winger proud.

So it is important Capello perseveres with him. It will be especially interesting to see how he works with Rooney when Wayne returns to the England fold next time.

Of the rest of the England team - Kieran Gibbs and Jordan Henderson...OK fragile but deserve another chance.

The one man who should be out of the team - and surely will be when Jack Wilshere finally makes the first XI after injury - is Gareth Barry. I am baffled what Capello sees in him - passes astray, poor tackling and a yard off the pace.