With Carlo Ancelotti on his way to Chelsea, PA Sport's Sarah Gwynn looks at other Italians who have managed in the Premier League.

The diminutive Sardinian was idolised at Chelsea so it was something of a surprise when he was appointed West Ham manager in September 2008 to replace Alan Curbishley.

He had little coaching experience, having only been Italy Under-21 assistant coach for less than two years, and did not have his UEFA A coaching licence, but the Hammers' move seems to have paid off.

Supported by his number two, another Chelsea old boy Steve Clarke, Zola led West Ham to ninth place in the Premier League and has helped a number of academy players develop into first-team regulars - James Tomkins and Jack Collison to name two.

CLAUDIO RANIERI

Ranieri joined Chelsea in 2000 with a lofty reputation after achieving European and domestic success with Valencia.

His lack of English proved a problem initially, though, and the Blues finished sixth in his first season in charge. In 2001 he made one of the most important transfers in the club's recent history - signing Frank Lampard.

Ranieri did not improve on the league placing the following season (2001/02) but led the team to the FA Cup final, where they lost to Arsenal.

Fortunes improved in 2002/03 with the Blues qualifying for the Champions League, but the arrival of billionaire owner Roman Abramovich put Ranieri's job in jeopardy as speculation grew that Sven-Goran Eriksson was being lined up as a replacement.

Ranieri lasted another year, though, during which time he splashed out millions on rebuilding his squad, bringing in the likes of Claude Makelele, Wayne Bridge, Glen Johnson and Hernan Crespo.

Chelsea were runners-up in the league - their best finish for 49 years - and they reached the Champions League semi-finals, but it was not enough for the Italian to stay put, and he was replaced by Jose Mourinho.

GIANLUCA VIALLI

The Chelsea striker became player-coach at Stamford Bridge in February 1998, replacing Ruud Gullit.

In his first few months in charge Chelsea won the Coca-Cola Cup and the European Super Cup, as well as finishing third in the Premier League.

The following season Vialli led his team to the quarter-finals of the Champions League on their debut, but they finished a disappointing fifth in the Premier League.

Vialli did guide Chelsea to an FA Cup final triumph over Aston Villa, however, and started the 2001/01 season brightly with a defeat of Manchester United in the FA Charity Shield - the Italian's fifth trophy in less than three years.

Five games into the season, though, Vialli was sacked.

ATTILIO LOMBARDO

Lombardo was named caretaker player-coach alongside Tomas Brolin at Crystal Palace in early 1998 for the remainder of that season. He could not save the club from relegation, however, and left in January 1999.

Watch Carlo Ancelotti's interview here