Carlo Ancelotti has told the BBC he wants to make a return to Premier League management -- but that it will not happen this season.
Former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid coach Ancelotti has been linked with a move back to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea have struggled so far this season.
But the 56-year-old told BBC Radio Five live's Sportsweek programme he would "try to find another club next season."
The Italian is currently living in Vancouver, Canada, as he takes a break from the game after leaving the Bernabeu at the end of last season.
"I had a fantastic experience in France and Spain," he said.
"The most important thing is to find a club with a good project and be competitive. If it's in England, it's better.
"I will stay out [of the game] until the end of the season and try to find another club next season.
"Not just in England -- it can be in another country -- but my idea is not to start [managing again] now."
Ancelotti, who managed Chelsea between 2009 and 2011 was sacked despite winning the club their first-ever league and FA Cup double in 2010.
He stressed that he believed the Blues could recover from their current slump in form -- and would do so under Jose Mourinho.
"Chelsea are used to competing at the top level," he said. "They have lost a little bit of confidence in their play and arrived at bad results.
"Slowly, they can move on from this situation. Mourinho is the best person to manage this because he is the one involved, he knows the situation and the condition of the players.
"The club took the right decision to stay with Mourinho."