Everton have been left stunned after Carlo Ancelotti accepted an offer from Florentino Perez and agreed to return to Real Madrid.
Ancelotti, who led Real to their 10th Champions League title in 2014, received a firm offer from the Spanish giants over the weekend and will return to Santiago Bernabeu after a compensation package was agreed; the Italian has signed a three-year contract.
Ancelotti will take his son, Davide, to be his assistant, along with his son-in-law Mino Fulco, who was Everton’s Head of Performance. Ancelotti’s long-serving fitness coach, Francesco Mauri, and analyst, Simeone Montanaro, are also expected to leave.
Madrid turned to Ancelotti after missing out on Max Allegri, who has been re-appointed by Juventus, and Mauricio Pochettino but the speed in which this move has been completed has thrown Everton’s plans for next season into disarray.
The 61-year-old reported to Finch Farm, the club’s training base, at 11:15am yesterday morning for talks with Marcel Brands, Everton’s Sporting Director – the Dutchman’s attempts to convince Ancelotti to stay until 2023 and honour his £11million-per-year contract were futile.
In a statement, Ancelotti said: “I would like to thank the Board of Directors, the players, and the Evertonians for the tremendous support they have all given me during my time at the Club.
“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.”
Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s major shareholder, must now begin the search for another new manager.
This will be his fifth such appointment since he took charge at Goodison Park in February 2016 and it is imperative that this decision is right.
Nuno Espirito Santo was quickly installed as one of the favourites to succeed Ancelotti but he is also wanted by Crystal Palace, who have been speaking to the Portuguese since last week.
Eddie Howe, was in the frame to replace Marco Silva at Goodison Park in December 2019.
They were linked with Steven Gerrard, the current Rangers manager and Liverpool icon, but there would be little chance of success if Everton decided to pursue the 41-year-old.
