Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has backed Carlo Ancelotti to return to the Premier League after the recently-sacked Italian emerged as a frontrunner for the Arsenal job.
Napoli sacked boss Ancelotti despite Tuesday night's 4-0 victory over Genk that propelled the club into the Champions League knockout phase.
The Serie A outfit made the announcement shortly after they had qualified as Group E runners-up behind Liverpool .
Ancelotti's departure has led to Arsenal stepping up their interest in the former Chelsea manager - and Emirates chiefs in the coming days.
And Lampard, who played under the Italian at Chelsea for two years between 2009 and 2011, says his former boss can coach "anywhere in the world".
"I have huge respect for him, I am very sorry for him," said Lampard.
"I know it was a tough job for him lately. I saw his interview before the game and I thought it was a very typically classy interview in what seemed a very tough time for him. He always handles himself brilliantly.
"I think he can work anywhere in the world at the top level, of course."
Although no reason has been given for Ancelotti's departure, Napoli's league form has been disappointing having not registered a Serie A win since October 19.
They lie in seventh place, 17 points adrift of leaders Inter Milan.
The 60-year-old former Chelsea boss was just 18 months into a three-year contract.
Napoli confirmed had dismissed the 60-year-old coach, who has won domestic league titles in England, France, Germany and Italy and the Champions League three times, in a statement on Twitter .
He had been in charge for just under one-and-a-half seasons.
"Napoli has decided to revoke the position of first-team coach from Carlo Ancelotti," it read.
"The relationship of friendship, esteem and mutual respect between the club, its president Aurelio De Laurentiis and Carlo Ancelotti remain intact."
