Everton Boss Carlos Ancelotti Reveals Why He Rejected A Chance To Manage Manchester United

KEY POINTS

Ancelotti was linked with Manchester United in 2013
Man Utd wanted Ancelotti to replace Sir Alex as the club's manager
Ancelotti instead chose to join Real Madrid

Everton head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed why he rejected a chance to manage Manchester United in the past. Ancelotti's comments came on the eve of Everton and Red Devils' League Cup clash in the Merseyside.

When Ancelotti was the manager of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Manchester United had approached the Italian boss, offering him the role of the club's head coach as then-boss Sir Alex Ferguson was in his final year as Red Devils' manager. However, Ancelotti did not proceed with it as he was close to signing for Real Madrid.

In a press conference ahead of Everton and Manchester United's League Cup game, Ancelotti was asked about his Manchester United offer. The Everton boss replied, "I can say that I still keep a fantastic relationship with Sir Alex, and we met when he decided to stop (retire). But I was close to Real Madrid, and so I appreciate the fact that at that time he talked to me. And that’s it, no other opportunity [to manage United]."

Ancelotti-managed Everton started the 2020-21 campaign on a flying note as the Goodison Park side is currently placed fourth in the Premier League table, having won eight of the 14 league fixtures so far.

Everton and Manchester United have faced off once this season – in the Premier League in November – where the Blues went 1-0 up before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side struck back twice, courtesy to Bruno Fernandes' brace. Edison Cavani scored the final goal to help Manchester United win 3-1 at Goodison Park.

Ancelotti also heaped praise on the Red Devils, calling them a fantastic club.

"Yes of course Manchester United is a fantastic club, a fantastic team I battled against them a lot of times when Sir Alex was there, when I was at Chelsea. I have a lot of respect for this team, for this club, it is a historical club in the world of football like Milan, like Real Madrid, a lot of respect, " Ancelotti added.

Everton have a busy schedule in the Premier League in the coming days, starting with the Boxing Day away fixture against Sheffield United before their crucial home game against Manchester City two days later.