Ancelotti: 'I have a new challenge with a team that was always in my heart'

Just two days ago, Carlo Ancelotti was enjoying his football break after a long season with Everton, with whom he signed a four and a half year deal in December 2019. The Italian already settled on Merseyside, and often stated how he likes the countryside, and enjoys going for a long walk or hiking during the day, while he cooks his own pasta with a glass of wine in the evening. Fast forward to Tuesday, he is no longer in England! What happened?

Zidane slams Real Madrid president for lack of humanity and respect

Well, Real Madrid happened. The Galacticos were left without a coach after Zinedine Zidane decided to step down (again), claiming he didn’t have enough support from the club. Florentino Perez saw who was out there, didn’t like the offers (demanding Conte, unexperienced Raul, unsettled Pocchetino), and decided to call his former coach Ancelotti. And as soon as the call came, Everton were in trouble.

"I have complete respect for everyone associated with Everton and hope they can achieve the exciting opportunities they have in front of them. While I have enjoyed being at Everton, I have been presented with an unexpected opportunity which I believe is the right move for me and my family at this time. I decided to leave as I have a new challenge with a team that was always in my heart, Real Madrid“ explained the Italian in a statement for the Everton website, expressing his gratitude to the Board of Directors, and the supporters. The club and Ancelotti had a gentlemen’s agreement that he can leave in case a good offer comes by, and that’s exactly what happened.

Ancelotti returns for the second time to Madrid, after he won the Champions League, Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup during his first year in the club 2013-2015. Meanwhile, he is the Real Madrid coach to have recorded the most wins (78) in his first 100 competitive games at the helm. The Italian signed a three year contract and will start to assemble his coaching staff immideately. Alvaro Arbeloa has emerged as a frontrunner to be his right-hand man. Arbeloa is very much a Real Madrid man and his appointment would be well received.

Done deal: Ancelotti returns to Real Madrid

 It will be interesting to see will the Italian change his stance on the European Super League, since he is back to the club who organized the whole thing.

"My immediate reaction was they are joking, this is a joke! It's a joke because it's not going to happen. It's impossible. Football is a sport first and foremost. And then with a lot of investment, it also becomes a business. We need to take both into consideration. This is absolutely normal. For every supporter of football, it was a strange day, a surprise. We heard about the Super League in the past few months, but I was sure it was not going to happen. What can I say? They were wrong. These 12 clubs were wrong. They did not take into consideration the opinions of the players, managers or supporters" Ancelotti said back in April.

News about the new coach reached their greatest rival – Barcelona, who are deep into the managerial thematic themselves, as Laporta is not keen on keeping Koeman, but doesn’t have the better option (yet).

„Oh yeah? A good coach“ said Laporta when the journalists informed him who is the new man in the dogout for Real.