Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed how he rejected Sir Alex Ferguson’s approach to succeed him at Manchester United with the Italian plotting the Red Devils’ downfall in pursuit of silverware this season.
The Toffees take on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side looking for a place in the final four of the Carabao Cup as they bid to secure their first piece of silverware since 1995.
The former AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss has detailed how he politely declined the legendary Scot’s offer to succeed him back in 2013, with the Bernabeu his next destination after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
“You want to know from me?!” Ancelotti responded when quizzed on an offer to work with United. “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).”
United eventually opted for David Moyes and have since struggled for success since, with Ancelotti returning to the Premier League, where he won the title with Chelsea in 2010.
“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.”
