Paolo Maldini: Abramovich wanted me as Chelsea boss in 2009

The defender made 902 appearances for AC Milan in a legendary career at the club but rapidly found himself in demand after hanging up his boots.

In an interview with Jamie Carragher in the Daily Mail, Maldini says he flew to England to discuss taking over as Chelsea boss from Guus Hiddink, but opted against uprooting his young family.

Chelsea appointed Carlo Ancelotti in the summer of 2009 and he won the double in his first season as manager.

“The offer came only one week after my last game for Milan,” Maldini explained. “I wasn’t ready. I didn’t want to move my family to London.

“I went there. I spoke to Mr Abramovich. I spoke to Ray Wilkins, who I had played with at Milan. I don’t know. I decided not to do it.”

Maldini also revealed he was tempted to join Chelsea as a player, 13 years before Abramovich’s approach, but spurned the Blues then, just as he did all his English suitors.

“I had an offer from Manchester United, but I didn’t speak directly to them,” Maldini added. “Luca Vialli, when he was Chelsea manager, called me. That was in 1996. We’d had a very bad season. There was also something from Arsenal, but I never spoke to them directly.

“I would have said no anyway. Vialli was a friend of mine and he was the only one who made me think. I had some problems with my team and the supporters at that time. I thought, just for one day, ‘What if?’ But then, no.”