Anjishnu Roy 03/10/2025 15comments  |  Jump to last

Carlo Ancelotti has shed light on how his move from Everton to Real Madrid in 2021 wasn’t initially on the cards and took place out of the blue. 

Highlighting the story in his new book, The Dream, the current Brazilian national team coach mentioned that he had gotten in touch with Real Madrid to enquire about some of their players and get them to join the Blues before the conversation suddenly shifted to him rejoining Los Blancos. 

Appointed head coach at Goodison Park in 2019, Ancelotti spent a season and a half at Everton, during which the Toffees finished 12th and 10th in the league. However, despite signing a 4½-year contract, Ancelotti resigned from his position in the summer of 2021 to take up the vacant seat at Real Madrid following Zinedine Zidane’s departure.

“As the season came to a close, I challenged some of the players who I thought were not as motivated as they should be. If they wanted to leave, they could and they should. I would go and find replacements who could make a more positive contribution,” said Ancelotti.

"It was in search of such players that I got on the phone to Real Madrid, asking if they had anyone whom I could take on loan. And the conversation went in an unexpected direction.

"The answer was that they didn’t. Obviously, everyone knew that they were also in the market for a new manager since Zidane had resigned for the second time, citing a lack of support from the club. To replace him, they had lined up Massimiliano Allegri, who had won so many Scudetti at Juventus and led them to two Champions League finals.

"But at the last moment, he decided to remain at Juventus. The voice on the other end of the line complained that there were no coaches out there.

"'If no players,' I said, 'Could you use a new manager?' 'Do you know anybody?' came the response. 'Do you not remember what we did in 2014?' I responded. There was a silence."

Following this, Ancelotti shed light on having a discussion with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

“The next day, I was on a train when my phone rang. I looked at the screen and saw that it was Florentino Pérez. My first thought was, Please don’t let the train go into a tunnel now.

"It didn’t and we spoke. In ten minutes, the deal was done. It was a Saturday. I went to my director of football at Everton and explained the situation. The club was a bit stunned because everyone assumed, me included, that I would stay at Everton for the 3 years remaining on my contract.

"But that is football. Coaches rarely get to decide when they leave a job – I certainly didn’t at Real – so they shouldn’t be criticised when they do. This was too good an opportunity to ignore. The two clubs quickly agreed on compensation and, three days after I spoke to the president, I was presented to the Spanish media."

Ancelotti would go on to win two Champions League titles and two La Liga titles with Los Blancos before taking up as head coach of the Brazilian national team this summer.

 

Reader Comments (15)

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Mark Taylor
1 Posted 03/10/2025 at 13:03:34
It wasn't 'an opportunity'. It didn't come to Ancelotti out of the blue. He rang them, and it is pretty clear he was hoping to put himself forward for the role, using a player enquiry as cover.

Fair enough in one way, but tell it like it is.

Kevin Molloy
2 Posted 03/10/2025 at 13:04:21
It's amazing really, all the crap Moyes gets, and this guy is still revered by the same people in the fanbase.

Took out nearly £20M (suing the club in the process) for 18 months work, which resulted in two mid-table finishes. When you look at his buys, you can probably add another £80M to the deficit.

It took Moyes about 7 years of Top 6 finishes to get the same pay out with a zero budget, and people still say he stuffed the fans so he could fill his boots.

And that's what we get in his crappy little book, him calling up Madrid to wheedle for his old job: 'Please don't go through a tunnel!'... Gobshite.

Mike Powell
3 Posted 03/10/2025 at 13:44:24
Spot on, Kevin.
Sean Mitchell
4 Posted 03/10/2025 at 14:17:03
Money grabbing gobshite.
Jeff Armstrong
5 Posted 03/10/2025 at 14:18:33
“I know a manager who would be more than happy to come, not that he's looking or anything.”

“Who?”

“Me.”

Prick.

More of a success grabbing gobshite, Sean, money was no issue for him here.

Sean Mitchell
6 Posted 03/10/2025 at 14:28:02
Jeff #5, 100%.

He couldn't do it at Everton. One thing he did right was get Calvert-Lewin scoring.

I've no respect for the guy. He will have known the club was bollocksed financially.

Alan McMillan
7 Posted 03/10/2025 at 16:13:57
Surely Brands should have been making those phone calls??

And if I remember correctly, he had a clause in his contract allowing him to leave if they came for him?

Either way, all too coincidental for me.

Dave Abrahams
8 Posted 03/10/2025 at 16:21:35
Does the Italian name the players who didn’t think were motivated enough when they played for Everton in his book?
Liam Mogan
9 Posted 03/10/2025 at 16:52:19
Happens every day in football. Managers and players look elsewhere.

Not sure why it bothers anyone.

Scott Hamilton
10 Posted 03/10/2025 at 17:00:11
If he'd just said that, following the break-in at his home and the effect it had on his daughter particularly, he wanted away, I think we'd all understand.

As it is, he's a slimy, two-faced, wonky-eyebrowed shitbag.

Sean Mitchell
11 Posted 03/10/2025 at 17:28:16
Scott #10

Class that 🤣

Mike Gaynes
12 Posted 03/10/2025 at 17:31:19
Anybody here who never applied for a better, higher-paying dream job if it came open? Even they were happy where they were?

"Gobshite" and "shitbag"?

Give me a break.

Welcome to the real world, people.

Scott Hamilton
13 Posted 03/10/2025 at 17:54:42
Mike (12) - Ancelotti had previously stated:

“With Everton, I felt very good. Then Madrid called me and it was difficult to say ‘no'.”

As I say, shitbag.

Grant Rorrison
14 Posted 03/10/2025 at 18:07:18
Scott 13. Yep, his eyebrows are straighter than his story.
Mark Taylor
15 Posted 03/10/2025 at 18:15:50
Mike, I think the point is that he lied, it is quite clear he made the first move from the above.

I recall he also sued us for breaching his contract and we settled, perhaps foolishly.

I appreciate people also lie and try to enrich themselves but, if they do, don't expect people to admire them. Not in the real world.

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