The Los Blancos “will confirm the appointment of Carlo Ancelloti as their new manager in the next few hours” as the Italian maestro prepares to leave Everton to return to the Bernabeu for his second stint.
Managing Real from 2013 to 2015, Ancelotti led them to the 10th European Cup triumph against Atletico Madrid in Lisbon in 2014. Now the 61-year-old is set for a return after Zinedine Zidane’s own second tenure came to an end last week.
Reports from Marca say that Ancelotti is ‘the chosen one’ for the Spanish giants and his return will be made official very soon. The Italian left Real on good terms with club president Florentino Perez and the club’s hierarchy and the door was always kept open for a future return.
Although contracted to Everton until 2024, Ancelloti’s relationship with the club now looks set to end early so he can have another go at the Real job.
After Zidane exited the Bernabeu last week following a season without silverware – the first time in 11 years – Real drew up a shortlist of replacements that included Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte and club legends Raul and Xabi Alonso.
However the momentum behind Ancelotti’s return began to gather pace over the weekend.
Ancelloti’s credentials with the Los Blancos are pretty impressive as his two-season spell as their manager between 2013 and 2015 saw him maintain a 75 per cent win ratio as well as securing Champions League top glory, wherein they defeated Atletico Madrid 4-1 after extra time in the Lisbon final.
He had also led them to win the Copa del Rey in the same season besides adding the European Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup the following campaign.
If his return is indeed confirmed, it will see Ancelotti leave his post at Goodison Park after one-and-a-half seasons.
Everton finished 12th in 2019-20 after he succeeded Marco Silva before coming 10th in the campaign just finished.
It was ultimately a disappointment with Everton in strong contention for European qualification for much of the season.
Credit: Football Tribe Malaysia
