Carlo Ancelotti has revealed why he turned down the chance to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United following his retirement in 2013.
Ancelotti was amongst the names that Manchester United considered following the retirement of the legendary Ferguson seven years ago, making an approach for the Italian who had enjoyed huge success at the likes of AC Milan, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
Ferguson played a key role in the club’s succession plans and had coveted both Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho for the role, though the Italian had already agreed a deal with Real Madrid to replace Mourinho, who had also agreed to rejoin Chelsea.
Ancelotti returned to the Premier League with Everton last year and will face the Red Devils in a Carabao Cup quarter-final this evening, and the 61-year-old has now opened up on United’s approach for his services.
“You want to know from me [about coaching at Man Utd]?!“ Ancelotti said at the press conference ahead of the meeting of the two sides.
“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].”
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