Carlo Ancelotti has revealed Manchester United had approached him to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, but rejected their offer as he was set to join Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The Italian first arrived in England in 2009, when he became manager of Chelsea and led the Blues to Premier League and FA Cup glory. He was sacked at the end of his second season at the helm, but made his return to the England top flight to coach Everton in December 2019.
Now Ancelotti has admitted he had the opportunity to return to the Premier League in 2013 as Man Utd boss, with the Red Devils seeking the successor to the all-time great Ferguson.
However, the former Chelsea boss was forced to reject the Premier League giants’ approach as he was already on the verge of accepting a role at Madrid and could not go back on his word.
“Do you want to know about me (on coaching at Man Utd)?” Ancelotti said in an interview, via Goal. “I can say that I still have a fantastic relationship with Sir Alex, and we met when he decided to quit (to retire).
“But I was close to Real Madrid, so I appreciate the fact that at that point he spoke to me. And that’s it, no other opportunity (to manage Man Utd). ”
Instead, Man Utd chose to hire David Moyes; a decision that has indeed turned against him as the Scotsman was sacked barely 10 months after a six-year contract. What could have been, eh?
Ancelotti has no hard feelings or bitter feelings towards the team that only came to strike once, and has continued to praise United as a “fantastic club”, comparing them to Milan and Madrid as “historic” football establishment.
“Yes of course Manchester United are a fantastic club, a fantastic team that I have fought against them several times when Sir Alex was there, when I was at Chelsea. I have a lot of respect for this team, for this club, it’s a historic club in the football world like Milan, like Real Madrid, a lot of respect. “
Looking back, Man Utd really should have pushed harder on that one all those years ago …
