Ancelotti: What Italian brings back to Premier League after joining Everton

Football
By Brian Otieno | Dec 23, 2019
New Everton boss Carlo Ancelloti [Courtesy]

Carlo Ancelotti has made a return to the English Premier League after his sacking from Napoli.

The former Chelsea manager reportedly snubbed Arsenal, and joined Everton on a £14m deal - replacing sacked coach Marco Silva.

The Merseyside club has struggled to impress this season and are currently four points above the relegation zone, despite a recent win against Chelsea and hard-earned draws with Manchester United and Arsenal.

Statistically, the Toffees could be getting the best coach they ever had, owing to the Italian’s previous record at Chelsea and the accolades he has bagged over his 24–year career.

While the title for the best manager in the Premier League may be out of his reach, the 60-year-old’s stint at Chelsea is sure to earn him a spot among the top managers.

Ancelotti guided the London through 109 matches, winning 67, placing his winning percentage at third-best, behind Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson in the Premier League.

Ancelloti watched from the stands as Everton played to a 0-0 draw with Arsenal at Goosidon Park on Saturday [Courtesy]

While at Chelsea, Ancelotti won the Premier League in the 2009/2010 season, beating rivals Manchester United to the title with one point. A second-place finish the following season and a less impressive show in the Champions League sealed his fate as he was sacked 2011, two years after joining the club.

But the Italian’s performance at Stamford Bridge pales in comparison to the success he has enjoyed in Europe. Ancelotti is one of only three managers who have won the Champions League trophy thrice.

His 2014 extra-time victory against Atletico Madrid with Real Madrid ended a 12-year Champions League trophy drought for Los Blancos, sealing their long-awaited 'La Decima'.

This was his first and only title at the club, with previous success coming from his former club AC Milan, with which he won twice, in 2003, beating Juventus 3-2 on penalties, and in 2007, winning 2-1 against Liverpool.

The Italian also led Bayern Munich to a fifth-consecutive Bundesliga title in 2017, after succeeding Pep Guardiola as manager, before his sacking in August 2017, owing to conflict between himself and his players.

Ancelotti is renowned for his direct and pressing style of play and Goodison Park could be the next showcase for his managerial prowess.

His stay there, however, hinges on whether he will forge a turn-around for the side currently battling relegation.

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