The multi-titled defender, arguably the greatest defender ever has just retired as a player aged 40 with AC MIlan.
Ancelotti will retain Ray Wilkins as first-team coach but Maldini will be brought in to sort out the defensive side of things. They have missed Steve Clarke's input on this ever since he joined West ham United to link up with Gianfranco Zola.
Chelsea have yet to confirm anything but that's not too surprising.
Deco and Ricardo Carvalho are expected to leave SW6 soon to join Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.