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Ancelotti unfazed by training ground protests

Carlo Ancelotti's position has been the subject of speculation after a dismal run of form © PA Photos

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Chelsea

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has laughed off a visual protest near to the club's Cobham training facility that demanded the exit of both the manager and owner Roman Abramovich.

The manager and his squad arrived at training to be greeted by two banners which read: "Ancelotti + Abramovich out!" and "None of you are fit to wear the shirt".

The protest was an apparent response to the club's shocking form, culminating in a defeat at Wolves in midweek, that has seen them suffer their worst run of results in the Premier League in almost 15 years.

However, the former Milan, Juventus and Parma coach says he is accustomed to more forceful protests in his native Italy and remains focused on the task at hand.

"There was only one?" Ancelotti joked. "If it's only one, there's no problem! Here, you saw outside just one person who is not happy. In Italy, it's different. You can find outside the training ground 1,000 people not happy. It's difficult to fight with 1,000. With one, you can manage.

"For a manager, it is important at this moment to have the support of the club, of the players, and obviously of the fans - minus one. It is the right way to move on quickly.

"The problem now here is not the relationship with the club, or with the owner, or with the players. The problem is the team is not doing well. We've stayed a long time in a difficult moment, we've lost confidence. We spoke today with the staff to try to find the solution. The solution is on the pitch - it is not outside the pitch."

Chelsea face Ipswich Town in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday, with the Championship club having confirmed on Friday that they have sacked manager Roy Keane.

Ancelotti says the FA Cup remains a high priority for the holders, but says Chelsea's run of poor form will not force him into the transfer market in an effort to effect a change in fortunes.

"We started very well this season, with this squad," Ancelotti said. "Everyone was excited to watch our games, was excited to speak about our players, and how we played. I think that these players are able to move on with their quality, with their character, with their personality. We don't need to have the support from any [new] players."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.