CARLO ANCELOTTI has revealed his incredible phone call to Real Madrid that sent Everton into a tailspin.
The Italian was Toffees boss for 18 months from December 2019.
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However, an innocent conversation with his former bosses at the Bernabéu, trying to bolster his squad at Goodison Park, changed everything.
Not only did it kick off Ancelotti’s surprising but successful return to the Spanish giants – but it also helped set Everton’s recent troubles into motion.
Ancelotti, 64, said: “I called to see if I could sign players for Everton and asked if they already had a manager.
“I said they had to sign the best for Real Madrid.
“And I said they had forgotten 2014.”
In 2014, Ancelotti led Los Blancos to their long-awaited ‘tenth’ – their tenth European Champion Clubs’ Cup or Champions League victory, 12 years after number 9.
He was sacked a year later and had spells at Bayern Munich and Napoli before being Marco Silva’s surprise replacement at Everton.
Ancelotti took the Toffees to 12th place and then brought in the likes of James Rodriguez on a free transfer, as well as Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ben Godfrey, all for more than £20m in 2020.
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Everton finished tenth in 2020-21 and Ancelotti was keen to improve his squad again – after committing his long-term future to the club and promising to take them to their stunning new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
But in making the most of his illustrious contact book to see if any Real Madrid players would be available, he inadvertently put himself in the window for Real president Florentino Perez to bring him back to the Santiago Bernabéu.
And so Ancelotti’s call for players to swap Real Madrid for Merseyside ended with the veteran making the reverse trip back to sunny Spain.
Things also worsened between the Italian and Everton when reports last June suggested he was suing his former employers at London’s High Court.
In three seasons since replacing Zinedine Zidane, his longest spell at a club since managing AC Milan from 2001 to 2009, Ancelotti has enjoyed incredible success.
He led Real to two LaLiga titles, the Copa del Rey, two Spanish Super Cups, the 2022 Champions League against Liverpool, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
And tomorrow, he leads his team to face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley in yet another Champions League final as they seek a record-extending 15th Kings of Europe title.
As for Everton, however, the club has been in crisis since Ancelotti’s swift departure.
Rafa Benitez and Frank Lampard passed in and out of the manager’s room, with Sean Dyche again providing some stability.
Everton have narrowly avoided relegation over the past three seasons – finishing 16th, 17th and 15th in the Premier League.
Caramels in sticky situation
Off the field, the club is in a difficult financial situation.
They lost eight points in 2023-24 for preaching the Profit and Sustainability Rules and know they need to try to balance the books by June 30 to avoid further punishment next term.
Farhad Moshiri, the majority shareholder, can officially discuss a sale with interested buyers now that 777 Partners’ share purchase agreement has expired.
Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor is keen to make a takeover – which would see him sell his stake in Selhurst Park.
Ancelotti, meanwhile, told El Chiringuito de Jugones that he will be forced to change Real Madrid’s style next season when classy midfielder Toni Kroos hangs up his boots.
But luckily for the former Chelsea and PSG manager, he has two of the best players in the world in his starting eleven and is fighting for the Ballon d’Or.
Jude is more brother than son… lots of seriousness, lots of professionalism, little ego
Carlo Ancelotti on Jude Bellingham
Ancelotti added: “We will adapt to the players we will have, that is non-negotiable.
“Toni wants to end on a high note. I would also like to end like this, raise the glass and say goodbye.
“He thought it was the right time and I respect him. This will affect us a little, we have to replace it.
“We have an idea of how to do this with Eduardo Camavinga or Aurelien Tchouameni. Maybe we have to play more direct football.”
In the dispute for the Ballon d’Or, he said: “It’s a fight between Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
“We’ll see what happens in the final, the Euros and the Copa América.
“Jude is very mature, he’s very serious, he doesn’t look 20 years old.
“Jude is more brother than son. A lot of seriousness, a lot of professionalism, little ego.
“Vini is a very focused person. He suffered a lot from insults, but he was always very focused.”
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