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Tag: Carlo Ancelotti

  • Carlo Ancelotti Refutes Claims of Coaching Brazil

    Carlo Ancelotti Refutes Claims of Coaching Brazil

    By Daniel Edu

    Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has surprised Brazilian football enthusiasts by dismissing rumors of an agreement for him to become the head coach of Brazil’s national team.

    Brazil has been without a head coach since Tite’s departure following their quarterfinal loss to Croatia in the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Ramon Menezes, the coach of Brazil’s under-20s team, has been handling the team during friendlies since then.

    Despite ongoing speculations that Ancelotti would leave Real Madrid to coach Brazil, especially after winning the 2021-2022 UEFA Champions League title with the Spanish club, Ancelotti has consistently stated that he won’t leave Real Madrid unless the club decides to terminate his contract. As of now, Real Madrid has not renewed his contract, which is set to expire at the end of the season, fueling rumors that Ancelotti might take over as the head coach of Brazil’s national team in 2024.

    Earlier this year, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, Ednaldo Rodrigues, confirmed that Ancelotti would lead Brazil in the Copa America in June 2024. Rodrigues also mentioned that Fernando Diniz would oversee both the women’s senior team and the men’s senior team until Ancelotti assumes his role in 2024.

    However, in a recent statement, Ancelotti refuted these claims, stating that there is no agreement between him and Brazil. He asserted his contentment with Real Madrid, saying, “Agreement with Brazil? It’s all rumors and speculation. I feel very good at Real Madrid as things stand. We’ve had an excellent start to the season, and we hope to maintain this level.”

  • Ancelotti aiming to upset Liverpool once again, this time for Everton

    Ancelotti aiming to upset Liverpool once again, this time for Everton

    When Carlo Ancelotti took over at Everton last month, the Italian already had an eye on Sunday’s FA Cup third round Merseyside derby against runaway English Premier League (EPL) leaders Liverpool.

    Ancelotti, at his previous club Napoli, managed to do what no other manager in England has achieved this season — beat Juergen Klopp’s side.

    Liverpool lost 2-0 in Naples in the UEFA Champions League in September and followed that up with a 1-1 draw in the return game at Anfield.

    That was the only time the Reds have not won at home this season.

    The only other defeat for Liverpool this season came in the EFL Cup when the club were forced to play a youth team against Aston Villa.

    This was due to their first team being on duty at the Club World Cup in Qatar.

    “The Evertonians know my record against Liverpool, they will be happy with this,” Ancelotti said when he was unveiled as manager.

    “It’s a big rivalry here and a big motivation for us. I have a really good relationship with Juergen Klopp. It is always exciting playing against them.

    “Of course, I have beaten them, but they are not used to losing. It was a good day for me. I know how much Evertonians want to beat Liverpool.

    “It’s not mission impossible, nothing is impossible in football,” he added.

    Everton have responded well to the arrival of Ancelotti, who replaced the sacked Marco Silva.

    They have enjoyed wins in the Premier League over Burnley and Newcastle United before Wednesday’s loss at Manchester City.

    Liverpool could feature their new Japanese forward Takumi Minamino, signed from Salzburg.

    He had impressed so much against Klopp’s team in the UEFA Champions League, where he also came up against Ancelotti’s Napoli.

    The derby is the standout game of the third round which traditionally provides plenty of upsets with top-flight teams pitted against lower league opposition.

    Coming after a hectic spell of festive games, many managers will be tempted to rotate their squads and give chances to fringe players, which could offer the chance for surprise outcomes.

    Among the ties which feature Premier League sides against those from down the English football pyramid is the one having Steve Bruce’s Newcastle travel to third-tier (League One) Rochdale on Saturday.

    Holders Manchester City take on League Two (fourth tier) Port Vale while West Ham United and Burnley face League One opponents in Gillingham and Peterborough.

    Monday sees a fascinating encounter between Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and Championship (second tier) leaders Leeds United coached by Argentine Marcelo Bielsa — a repeat of the 1972 FA Cup final.

    Championship (second tier) club Preston North End, twice FA Cup winners, host the Premier League’s bottom club Norwich City while Nottingham Forest, fourth in the Championship, travel to Chelsea.(Reuters/NAN)

  • Jesus double helps Manchester City inflict first defeat on Ancelotti

    Jesus double helps Manchester City inflict first defeat on Ancelotti

    Two goals from Gabriel Jesus helped a nervy Manchester City earn a 2-1 victory over Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

    The win meant new Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti suffered his first English Premier League (EPL) defeat in this second coming.

    Ancelotti had enjoyed two wins from two before the trip to Manchester.

    But the writing appeared to be on the wall as Phil Foden thought he gave Manchester City a 13th minute lead.

    The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to spot an offside in the build-up.

    For the remainder of the first half, Manchester City were not at their best, but came out after the interval with added impetus.

    They took the lead in 51st minute through Jesus, for the Brazilian’s sixth goal in five matches against Everton.

    That soon became seven in five as Jesus drilled home Riyad Mahrez’s pass seven minutes later to make it two.

    Stand-in Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo gifted Everton a way back into the match as Richarlison scored with 19 minutes left.

    The home fans held their breath as Manchester City looked uneasy defensively and Everton pressed for the equaliser.

    But the visitors could not find that killer final pass as Manchester City held on for a fourth win in their last five games.

    It places them one point behind Leicester City in second, but 11 behind leaders Liverpool, having played two games more than the Reds.

    Everton remain 10th.(Reuters/ NAN)