Sir Alex Ferguson backs Carlo Ancelotti to land a top job soon amid Chelsea interest

Former Juventus, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss Ancelotti has been out of work since leaving the Spanish giants at the end last season.

He admits he would like to return to the Premier League and Ferguson says his coaching ability and vast experience will guarantee top clubs will be knocking at his door soon.

Writing in the programme for the UNICEF game at Old Trafford today, Ferguson said: "[He's] one of my good friends and also one of the best managers the game has seen."

"He's a great guy and I think he'll be back in the game shortly, there's no doubt about that. People with that ability don't stay out of it for too long."

"Of course, we've come up against each other as managers before. My best memory of those meetings has to be when we beat Juventus in the Champions League semi-final in 1999 in Turin."

"Juventus had an incredible record at home but our win there put us in the final and for me that was a fantastic moment."

Sir Alex Ferguson hails Carlo Ancelotti as 'one of the best managers in the game'

"Carlo had an unbelievable record in the European Cup as a player and a manager – winning it twice in both roles with AC Milan, as well as winning it again as manager at Real Madrid."

"I don't think anyone else has managed that, so he's on a pedestal on his own in that respect."

Ferguson managed a Gt Britain and Ireland XI to a 3-1 win over Ancelotti's Rest of the World team in front of a 75,381 sell-out crowd.

Paul Scholes with a first half header and two poacher's goals by Michael Owen after the break earned GB the win with Dwight Yorke replying.