Carlo Ancelotti Reveals Why He Rejected Manchester United Job in 2013
By Max Cooper
Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Manchester United approached him to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, but he rejected their offer as he was close to joining Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The Italian first arrived in England in 2009, when he became Chelsea manager and led the Blues to Premier League and FA Cup glory. He was sacked at the end of his second season in charge, but made his return to the English top flight to coach Everton in December 2019.
Now though, Ancelotti has admitted that he had been handed the opportunity to return to Premier League action back in 2013 as Man Utd boss, with the Red Devils searching for the successor to 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 couldn't go back on his word.
“You want to know from me (about coaching at Man Utd)?“ Ancelotti said in an interview, 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 Man Utd)."
Instead, Man Utd opted to hire David Moyes; a decision that well and truly backfired as the Scot was sacked just 10 months into a six-year contract. What might have been, eh?
Ancelotti does not hold any grudges or any bitter sentiments towards the side who only came knocking once however, and went on to praise United as a 'fantastic club', comparing them to Milan and Madrid as a 'historical' football establishment.
"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. 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."
In hindsight, Man Utd really should have pushed harder on that one all those years ago...