Carlo Ancelotti’s spell at Everton was underwhelming

02/06/21 1883

A story that rocked the football world yesterday was Carlo Ancelotti leaving Everton to return to Real Madrid as head coach.

The move happened swiftly with speculation over the move first appearing on Monday. The Italian only arrived at the Merseyside club 18 months ago and the Toffees are now on the hunt for a new head coach.

Understandably some Evertonian’s are unhappy at the Italian’s exit, as he seemed to be happy at the club and in the area. However, looking at Ancelotti’s reign in the cold light of day, it is difficult to call it anything other than underwhelming.

The Toffees achieved good results at the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal. However, those stellar results and their superb away record was only negated by what was their worst home record in the Premier League era.

That record included losing nine times at Goodison Park in the league. The mixed results saw a once-promising season ending in a disappointing 10th place finish in the English top-flight.

Ancelotti’s past record is not in doubt, but like any person in any walk of life, you are only as good as your last job.

Although it would be fair to say he didn’t have the best players to work with, the 61-year-old made some baffling and questionable team selections and substitutions.

Maybe at this stage of his career, he didn’t feel up to handling such a big task as rebuilding Everton. It is a club with so much promise on paper and the results should have been better last season.

Ancelotti’s performance at Everton would have never earned him the Real Madrid in normal circumstances. However, as a former successful Los Blancos head coach, the appointment was understandable, especially as the club from the Spanish capital are also in need of a squad rebuild.

While there were signs that Ancelotti could turn the team run given time, in the end, his short stay with Everton was a mixed one. The veteran boss will hope to fare better in Madrid than he did on Merseyside.