Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted the club “fell into the trap” he laid for them so he could return from Everton three years ago.
El Pais cover comments from the Italian manager today after he became Real Madrid’s most successful manager in their history with a win over Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup.
That took him to 15 titles as Real Madrid manager, overtaking Miguel Muñoz and boasting a record of one trophy every 21 games over his two separate periods as manager.
His first came from 2013 to 2015, when he won the Champions League, Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup before eventually being sacked.
He returned in 2021 after spells with Bayern Munich, Napoli and Everton, the latter of whom he appeared to be leading to a bright new era under the now departed owner Farhad Moshiri.
The Italian has admitted he was more than happy at Goodison Park but couldn’t turn down a return to Madrid to replace Zinedine Zidane when it was offered to him.
That, he now admits, came about after he laid the trap, initially calling the club to ask about potential signings for Everton.
“I want to be honest: winning at Madrid is easier,” he said.
“I didn’t expect this, I didn’t imagine I could return. I called the club to see if there were players (to sign), I threw it there (in reference to when he applied to be a coach after Zinedine Zidane’s departure) and they fell into the trap.”
