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We're barely into the summer, the transfer window is not even open yet and while Everton fans are still contemplating which players the Blues will be looking to sign this summer, turns out the club might have even bigger issues to be worried about.
Spanish giants Real Madrid are among just one of the larger European sides to lose their managers this summer with Zinedine Zidane leaving for the second time. It is however the name that is currently being linked with returning to Madrid that is of particular concern to the Toffees.
Real Madrid are in talks with Carlo Ancelotti in order to appoint him as new manager, confirmed.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 1, 2021
No agreement signed yet as he’s under contract with #EFC - but Real are pushing for Ancelotti back, as per @ellarguero @jfelixdiaz. ⚪️
No direct contacts with Antonio Conte. ❌
Rumour is rife that Carlo Ancelotti has been tipped to take over once again at the record-holding European champions despite having three years left on his Everton contract.
While the veteran Italian manager has talked at length about his passion and commitment for the rebuilding project at Everton, surely if Real do come calling then it's unlikely to expect him to stay. Remember, when the Blues appointed him, his star had somewhat fallen after his exit at Bayern Munich and a disappointing stint at Napoli.
What this could mean for the Everton project and where the club go from here will all come into sharp focus in coming days, but for now, we wait with bated breath to see whether Ancelotti stays or leaves.
Ancelotti, who was appointed Everton manager in December 2019 and whose contract at Goodison Park runs until June 2024, led the Blues to a tenth-placed finish this season which saw them amass 59 points and win at Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Leicester City.
He won the Copa Del Rey and Champions League in his first season as Real Madrid boss, 2013-14 before following that up with the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup in his second term.
But after failing to retain the Champions League or win the La Liga title in 2014-15, Ancelotti was let go by Real Madrid in May 2015, in what was described by president Florentino Perez as a ‘very difficult decision’.
Should Ancelotti depart, it will mean Everton will have a fifth different permanent manager in the last four years, following himself, Marco Silva, Sam Allardyce and Ronald Koeman.
In February 2021, Ancelotti expressed his desire to remain at Everton beyond the expiry of his current deal, which would likely see him lead the club into their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.