Vinny O’Connor told Sky Sports News on Tuesday evening that Carlo Ancelotti was finalising transfer plans with Everton’s board during ‘the last couple of weeks’ prior to his surprise exit.
Out of the blue, Ancelotti headed out of the Everton exit door yesterday and headed back to Real Madrid after they came knocking for his services.
Given the size of club Madrid are, it’s pretty hard to turn down an offer from them, but it has left Everton in a bit of a mess.
Sky reporter, Vinny O’Connor, shared that there is an element of ‘surprise’ at Everton regarding Ancelotti’s departure, who was playing down a return to La Liga before the 2020/21 season drew to a close.
“It is a surprise,” said O’Connor. “In the last couple of weeks, Ancelotti was meeting with the board to finalise transfer plans for the coming summer.
“Prior to the final games of the season, he had been questioned about the links with Real Madrid and he played that down.
“He made it clear during his time at Everton about how welcomed he was made to feel and how he had settled well in the area.
“And deliver success, which would ultimately mean, he would be the manager to take Everton into their prospective new stadium. He even made the point about Moise Kean. If players don’t want to be here then he doesn’t want them around.”
It’s going to be interesting as to who replaces Ancelotti now because not many out there have the name or the CV of the trophy-laden coach.
The one worry for Everton will be that they may have to fast-track their search a little because Spurs, Wolves and Crystal Palace are all looking for a new boss.
And whilst there are plenty of names available to push for, it’s still going to be some fight for the top names to land on their doorstep.
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