Everton forward Richarlison has told AS that it was a ‘privilege’ to play under Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti during the Italian coach’s two-years in charge at Goodison Park.
Farhad Moshiri brought Ancelotti to Merseyside in December 2019 to replace Marco Silva. The tactician had been out of work for just 11-days following Napoli sacking the 62-year-old less than three-hours after securing their place in that season’s Champions League last 16.
Ancelotti would oversee 67 matches in all competitions and led the Blues to 12th and 10th-place Premier League finishes. But he opted to depart the Toffees helm this June to re-join Real Madrid, six-years after the La Liga giants fired him and hired Rafa Benitez as his heir.
Richarlison featured in 59 of Ancelotti’s games as Everton manager, starting 58, scoring 20 goals and providing four assists. The Brazilian had similarly struck 21 goals and four assists over 56 games under Silva, who bought the 24-year-old from Watford for £50m in 2018.
Moshiri did not plan for Ancelotti’s abrupt exit and told talkSPORT in July: “It has been difficult because we brought Carlo in at great effort and the sudden departure disrupted the club and all our plans. We built this squad for him and these are big, big disruptions.”
Richarlison gives honest verdict on Ancelotti and Everton spell
Richarlison was one of the Everton players who felt Ancelotti’s departure the most, per The Athletic. The Italian’s exit left the forward considering his own future at Goodison Park, and Ancelotti was soon in touch with him to discuss a transfer to Real Madrid, Goal reported.
The idea of life as a Galactico appealed to Richarlison, too. Eurosport noted in July he was looking at a move to Madrid. But Defensa Central noted Everton demanded €100m (£85m).
Richarlison has now issued his honest verdict on life at Everton under Ancelotti and of the Real Madrid boss.
“Ancelotti is a great coach, one of the greatest in history,” he said. “It is no coincidence that he has won all the titles he has.
“It was a period in which I learned a lot and evolved a lot, on and off the field. It was a privilege to have the opportunity to work with him and I only wish him the best.”
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