From Milan to the Parmesan cheese-making centre
of Reggiolo, it is impossible to find anyone who has a bad word to
say about Carlo Ancelotti.
That is except for the self-appointed 'Special One'. But more of
him later.
On my travels for a special report for BBC Radio 5 Live Sport, I
heard repeatedly about his sparkling sense of humour, his calmness
under pressure, his love for his family and his genuine modesty. Is
he too nice a guy to be boss of a Premier League club?
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"Of course not," says another Italian who managed Chelsea,
Gianluca Vialli.
"He has proved in his years at AC Milan that you don't have to
be a bad person to be successful. He is living proof that nice guys
can be outstanding at their jobs."
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Ancelotti was born and raised in Reggiolo, a small farming town
nestled between Milan and Parma. It's a small, simple provincial
town. Nothing that special happens here, except for the national
burping championships.
I spent an afternoon at the Ancelotti family home and met his
86-year-old father Giuseppe and his nephew Luca. Both talk with
passion and pride about his success as an international player and
his Champions League triumphs as coach of AC Milan.
"I am eternally proud. I get very emotional when I talk about
him," said Giuseppe, a retired farmer who will miss watching his
son's every move on Italian television, but he told me: "He
telephones every two or three days."
Ancelotti's keen sense of humour is clearly a key part of his
character. "He is always joking with people," says Giuseppe.
"Carletto's very light-hearted and takes things in his stride.
He's very philosophical about life. During the bad times he doesn't
get down if things aren't going his way."
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When visiting the AC Milan training facility at Milanello I
chatted to their Australian goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac, who said: "His
humour is also an important part of his make up.
"You guys in England like a black, dry humour. He'll fit in well
with that. The media should enjoy it as well. He's good fun.
"He doesn't take things too seriously. Off the park he enjoys
his life. The players will be able to have an evening out, as long
as they know he wants 100% on the field."
There's a strong feeling that it was time for AC Milan and
Ancelotti to part company and his father Giuseppe added: "I'm very
happy about him going there. I've never been to London but I know
there's a lot of quality in the team.
"The other reason is Roman Abramovich was a very down-to-earth
man when he met my son. That impressed Carlo very much."
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And nephew Luca told me: "His move to Chelsea came as no
surprise to us. Mr Abramovich has courted Carlo since last year and
we felt his experience in Milan was coming to an end."
Luca plans to travel to a Chelsea game, but Giuseppe is
housebound.
"My legs don't work too well," he said. "And I don't like
aeroplanes." Could he not go by train or even car? "No, I will just
wait for Carlo to call me and tell me how he is doing."
The local football club in Reggiolo, where Ancelotti played as a
teenager before being spotted by Parma, proudly displays fading
photographs of the young Carletto on every wall of their
clubhouse.
Club president Adone Bertazzoni said: "He came here when he was
13 or 14. It was obvious that he had a talent. He was different. He
was a popular boy, but he was quiet and well-behaved. He was
impeccably brought up."
For a different perspective I sought the opinion of his rival
and one-time Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at the Inter Milan's
Pinetina training ground. Mourinho had the occasional difference of
opinion with Ancelotti last season.
So how will your good friend Carlo Ancelotti cope in the Premier
League, I asked during a packed press conference?
"He is not my friend," snapped back Mourinho, those hazel eyes
ablaze.
But he added: "Ancelotti will find it different, but he's a good
coach, he has experience and he has the qualities to adapt and to
succeed."