Carlo Ancelotti has emerged as a surprise contender for the Real Madrid job following Zinedine Zidane’s departure according to widespread reports in Spain.
Antonio Conte and Mauricio Pochettino were both being widely tipped to succeed Zidane, but the Everton boss has now been identified by his former club as a prime candidate. The Athletic reports the move is a “done deal”.
Ancelotti won four honours with Real between 2013-15, including “La Decima” – the club’s historic 10th Champions League.
Zidane has been building on that success, but announced his resignation last week having led the club to their first trophyless season in 11 years.
In the intervening years since leaving Spain, Ancelotti had managed both Bayern Munich and Napoli, stints which both lasted under two years.
For a man who is forever keen to embrace a new project, however, it was still a shock to the Premier League when he took over at Everton in December 2019.
Guiding the Toffees to 10th in his first season, there was early talk of a title push in 2020-21 thanks to his reunion with former Real playmaker James Rodriguez and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Everton could not keep that momentum going and they eventually finished 10th again, a slump epitomised by a 5-0 thrashing at Manchester City on the final day of the season. By then, Rodriguez had already left for Colombia, citing tiredness.
Never in the club’s 143-year history had they lost so many games at home in one campaign. Despite the excitement surrounding Ancelotti’s appointment, Everton have seemingly not made tangible progress in terms of European qualification or trophies.
It would still represent a huge setback if they were to lose one of the world’s most decorated managers now.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have been dealing with disappointments of their own, finishing second to city rivals Atletico in La Liga and exiting the Champions League at the semi-finals.
Who could take over at Everton?
Duncan Ferguson
Ferguson has been working as Ancelotti’s assistant but took temporary charge after Marco Silva was sacked just before Christmas in 2019. The Scotsman’s man-management has been crucial and he’s also worked wonders on the training ground, particularly with Calvert-Lewin.
Eddie Howe
Howe was widely expected to take the Celtic job, but talks collapsed last week. The 43-year-old has been out of work since leaving Bournemouth.
Nuno Espirito Santo
Few saw Nuno’s departure from Wolves coming and while there were question marks against his brand of football, the Portuguese’s early years were a roaring success, winning promotion and qualifying for the Europa League.
Rafael Benitez
Benitez is among the early favourites, but his history with Liverpool would make him a controversial appointment.
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- The Czech ‘warriors’ who rose from obscurity to fire West Ham into European contention
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3uJGRES
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