Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he turned down the manager’s job at Man Utd because he was already close to joining Real Madrid.
The Italian is one of the most experienced managers in the game, winning trophies in Spain, Italy, France, England and Germany.
And ahead of Everton’s fixture with Man Utd on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup, Ancelotti has admitted that he had a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson about taking over from the Scot.
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However, Ancelotti was close to taking over Real Madrid in Spain and had to decline Ferguson’s proposal.
“You want to know from me [about coaching at Man Utd]?!“ Ancelotti said (via Goal).
“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, who has already lost once to Man Utd this season, places the Old Trafford giants among the biggest clubs in world football, alongside the likes of Real Madrid and AC Milan.
“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,” Ancelotti added.
“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.”