Moldovan minnows Sheriff Tiraspol stunned Real Madrid to win in the Champions League on Tuesday, and some Everton fans on social media have been mocking Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian tactician suddenly walked away from Goodison Park to take over at the Santiago Bernabeu again this summer. He spent just 17-months on Merseyside as Farhad Moshiri’s replacement for Marco Silva and oversaw a doleful 10th-placed league finish last season.
Ancelotti even left Everton for Real Madrid just a week after speaking with Marcel Brands to discuss potential summer signings. That’s per The Athletic, who also noted club chiefs at Goodison put few obstacles in his way out the door.
How’s Ancelotti getting on at Real Madrid after Everton exit?
Ancelotti even accepted a large pay cut to leave Everton and return to Real Madrid this summer. According to the Mirror, the 62-year-old earned £11.5m-a-year (£221k-p/w) on Merseyside, compared to €6m-a/y (£99.5-p/w) in Spain, per Fabrizio Romano.
The three-time Champions League winning manager had been enjoying a strong start to his second spell with the Galacticos. Up until Tuesday night, Los Blancos were unbeaten over eight games under Ancelotti, winning six, across all competitions.
But Ancelotti’s undefeated streak came crashing down against Moldovan minnows Sheriff in the Champions League group stage. Sebastien Thill shocked the La Liga giants in the final-minute when he struck a perfect half-volley into the top corner.
Karim Benzema had pulled Los Blancos level midway through the second-half after Jasur Yakhshiboev’s first-half opener for the competition debutants. But Ancelotti’s men could not find a way to win the tie, and now trail Sheriff in Group D.
Toffees fans react to shock result
Some Everton fans were quick to mock their former manager after Ancelotti suffered his first defeat back at Real Madrid. Some also noted their poor home record under the Italian last season, with Sheriff winning at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Everton lost 13 games on route to a mid-table finish under Ancelotti last season, with nine of those at Goodison. Only the relegated trio of Sheffield United (13), Fulham (13) and West Brom (10) lost more on home soil. The Toffees also ranked 14th for goals allowed with 28.
So, here are some of the messages that Blues supporters have shared on social media…
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