Jamie Carragher has claimed that Carlo Ancelotti reputation wasn’t tainted during his time as Everton boss, as he told CBS Sports (15/02/22 at 7:25 pm).
The Sky pundit claimed that ‘Everton aren’t at the top level’ and someone like Ancelotti is someone who has to be ‘dining with the big boys’, as he is doing in Real Madrid colours once again.
Last summer, Ancelotti departed Goodison Park in an unexpected fashion when Real Madrid came knocking for his services again.
That didn’t help matters for the Merseyside club, nor was their call to replace the trophy-laden coach with Rafa Benitez a wise decision.
Since then, Benitez’s ill-fated reign has ended, with a former player of Ancelotti’s, Frank Lampard, now donning the dugout.
With Ancelotti and his Madrid side locking horns with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last night, Carragher was asked whether the Italian’s reputation has been tainted given what happened with him at Goodison Park.
“No, I don’t think so,” said Carragher. “I get on very well with Carlo Ancelotti. He was a neighbour of mine when he was the Everton manager.
“But I think this is a manager that has to be at the top level. Everton aren’t at the top level. It’s not the club for him. He has to be dining with the big boys.
“He is back with the big boys now with Real Madrid and PSG.”
It wasn’t a pleasant evening in France for Ancelotti upon his return to Paris as his Real Madrid side were beaten 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
With away goals scrapped, Madrid were clearly playing for a goalless draw from the get-go.
But with Kylian Mbappe on the other side, the flying French winger didn’t stop tormenting Madrid’s backline.
And to the heartache of those in all white, Mbappe scored a stoppage-time winner to make the second leg tie even more fascinating during these coming weeks.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
