Carlo Ancelotti is braced for an emotional return to Stamford Bridge, but says Roman Abramovich never revealed why he sacked him.
Everton's manager led Chelsea to a Premier League and FA Cup double in 2010, but 12 months later — having finished second — he was sacked in the tunnel after a 1-0 defeat at Everton.
Ancelotti has never been in the opposing dugout since his departure, but has returned to watch games three times in the intervening nine years and was bowled over by the regard in which Chelsea fans held him.
His aim on Sunday, though, is to mastermind Everton's first victory at Stamford Bridge since November 1994 and end a sequence of 38 away games at the traditional Big Six clubs without a win — dating back to December 2013.
'I think it will be an emotional moment for me,' said Ancelotti. 'I have a fantastic memory of the period that I was there, it was really two unbelievable years. I'm really excited to come back.
'I didn't speak to (Abramovich) after I was sacked. I still have a good relationship with him, he was very kind the times I went back to watch Chelsea games and so I have to say thanks. He gave to me a great opportunity to be the manager of one of the top teams in England.'