Petrescu played for Chelsea between 1995 and 2000

Former Chelsea defender Dan Petrescu thinks the Blues will appoint an Italian manger for next season.

Chelsea are looking for a new boss after they sacked Avram Grant in May.

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, Roma boss Luciano Spalletti and former Inter manager Roberto Mancini have all been linked to the Stamford Bridge hotseat.

Romanian Petrescu told BBC London 94.9: "I think next year they will have a coach, maybe from Italy I think, maybe Mancini or Ancelotti."

Petrescu wanted to see former Blues team-mate Mark Hughes get the job, before he was appointed Manchester City manager.

"I was hoping that Mark Hughes would get the job because I know him very well," said the Unirea Urziceni boss.

Grant was in the hotseat for just eight months despite reaching the Champions League final and losing the Premier League title on the last day.

Petrescu, who played for Chelsea between 1995 and 2000, admitted: "One year at Chelsea without winning a trophy is a disaster."