ANCELOTTI FOR LIVERPOOL?

As Everton managers go, Carlo Ancelotti’s ties to Liverpool have always been a point of intrigue—though never more so than after the Italian’s candid admission about his “dream” of managing the Reds. Yes, you read that correctly. The same Ancelotti who once helmed Everton, that very same club from the blue half of Merseyside, has now admitted that his initial ambition was to take charge of Liverpool.

Let’s rewind for a moment: this is the same Ancelotti who masterminded a Milan side that took down Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool in the 2007 Champions League final. The same man who, just a few years ago, swapped Goodison Park for the Santiago Bernabéu, becoming Real Madrid’s head coach. How, then, could this man, who at one point seemed to be the epitome of Everton’s hope for revival, have harbored aspirations of managing Liverpool? It’s almost unbelievable.

If that wasn’t enough, Ancelotti’s comments come off as a strange cocktail of admiration and begrudging respect for Liverpool’s success. The 65-year-old, who spent time at Everton managing their fierce rivals, spoke openly about the atmosphere and “spectacular passion” that he witnessed in Liverpool fans. He even went as far as acknowledging Liverpool’s dominance over the years, noting that the club has “for many years and still today [been] the best in the Premier League.” Well, cheers for the kind words, Carlo, but surely that’s something best reserved for a Liverpool legend rather than an Everton manager, right?

What’s truly baffling is the realization that Ancelotti’s “dream” of managing Liverpool came so close to reality. After Brendan Rodgers was dismissed, Liverpool had shortlisted two key candidates: Ancelotti and Jurgen Klopp. Many would have figured the experienced, trophy-laden Ancelotti, fresh off a successful stint with Chelsea and AC Milan, would have been the obvious choice. But, to the surprise of many, the Reds’ owners, FSG, opted for the untested Klopp instead, trusting their data-driven approach. Ancelotti was subsequently snapped up by Bayern Munich, while Klopp was the one who would go on to reshape the entire future of Liverpool FC.

To be perfectly frank, as a Liverpool fan, it’s a little jarring to think that Ancelotti, someone who once openly praised his rival club, would harbor such aspirations of managing us. Sure, the guy’s won more trophies than most, but it just feels… odd. After all, how could he, knowing full well the fierce rivalry between Liverpool and Everton, have dreamt of being the man in charge at Anfield? It’s almost as though the entire period he spent with Everton was just a pit stop on his personal journey—a reminder that no matter how much you achieve, it’s hard to shake off those initial dreams.

Ancelotti himself admitted in a recent interview, via Goal, that his “dream was to coach Liverpool,” but that he now finds himself a staunch Everton fan after experiencing the “rivalry.” In his own words, he “really liked the environment” at Goodison Park and mentioned that “there is a spectacular passion for the colors.” Nice sentiment, Carlo, but wasn’t it that same “spectacular passion” that had you publicly admitting how “suffering” Everton fans felt due to Liverpool’s dominance?

While the notion of a manager who once dreamed of Anfield managing Everton is enough to send any red-blooded fan into disbelief, there’s more to this story. Ancelotti, despite his success, seems almost apologetic in his praise of Liverpool. His acknowledgment that “Liverpool, for many years and still today, is the best in the Premier League” almost reads as a backhanded compliment, especially considering that for most of his career, he’s been leading opposition teams against us, including the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid.

And then, of course, there’s the matter of timing. The club that passed on Ancelotti in 2015—a decision which, at the time, seemed risky—is now reaping the rewards of that choice. Klopp’s success speaks for itself, and while Ancelotti has a glittering coaching career, Liverpool couldn’t be more content with the man they chose. If anything, it’s a reminder that while Ancelotti’s credentials are formidable, Klopp was the perfect fit for the Reds, and there’s no looking back now.

Ancelotti’s path may have been different, but the admiration he once held for Liverpool, and his fleeting dream of managing the club, is a curious footnote in the club’s storied history. Still, one has to wonder—could Ancelotti ever have resisted the allure of Anfield if the situation had been different? Perhaps we’ll never know. What’s clear, however, is that Liverpool’s future is firmly in the hands of Jurgen Klopp, and it’s hard to imagine a world where Ancelotti—once a dream candidate for Anfield—could ever truly fit into Liverpool’s long-term plans.