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Iconic Italian football boss Carlo Ancelotti has turned down the chance to manage his national side. The experienced boss has managed clubs all over the Europe, with his previous clubs reading like a who’s who of the European game.
The Italian’s last job was with German giants Bayern Munich. However, the Bavarian club dismissed the 58-year-old in September after a 3-0 defeat against big-spending French club PSG in the Champions League group stages.
Linked with a return to club football
Ancelotti had been linked with a number of jobs, including at Premier League clubs West Ham and Everton, prior to the pair appointing new bosses. According to media reports, Ancelotti may also be in line to return to former club Real Madrid, with head coach Zinedine Zidane’s future in doubt in the Spanish capital after a poor campaign so far.
However, Ancelotti had previously stated that he wishes to wait until the end of the current season before taking on his next challenge, in order to rest. Whether that stance would change if offered a return to the Bernabeu is on offer is unclear.
TRT World
Turned down the Italy job
The former AC Milan head coach was the heavy favourite to the reigns of his national team. He has spoken to the Italian Football Federation about filling the vacancy left by veteran boss Giampiero Ventura, who lost his job in November following the Azzurri’s failure to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
However, Ancelotti will not be the man to resurrect their ailing fortunes though, telling Sky Sports:
Yes the Federation contacted me, I spoke to them. I told them what I am telling you now, that I am honoured by so many people wanting me to be the coach of the national side.
However, that would be like a whole other job. Being a national coach is different to being a club coach, as I still enjoy training and working every day.
Italian football also has some problems that need to be resolved, serious problems and I don’t think I’m capable of resolving them all alone.
As usual, the coach is blamed but that’s not how it works. There is a structural problem. For example, why are we the only country in Europe where the stadiums aren’t up to scratch and half empty? That isn’t the fault of Ventura.
Ancelotti is one of the most successful head coaches in the history of the world game. Not only has he won titles in Italy, Spain, Germany, England and France, Ancelotti has also won the Champions League on three occasions, twice with AC Milan and once with Real Madrid.
Italy needs to look elsewhere after World Cup failure
He seemed the ideal choice for the vacancy. However, the Italian Football Federation will now have to look at other candidates, with the likes of Roberto Mancini, Luigi Di Baggio, Maurizio Sarri and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte all reportedly in the running for the job.
Next year’s World Cup in Russia will be the first in half a century that has not featured the Azzurri. The four-time champions failed to qualify after suffering a 1-0 aggregate defeat against Sweden in the play-offs.
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