Carlo Ancelotti Has Changed Everton Forever

And he hasn’t even taken a single training session.

Marco Silva’s tenure at Everton was a disaster from the start. He left behind a despondent squad and a dispirited fanbase. We Evertonians spend 90% of every Premier League season in a bitter mood. It’s our normal disposition.

This was different.

Our options for Silva’s replacement were David Moyes and Big Sam Allardyce. Many supporters hated the idea of Moyes returning, but nothing rivals the hatred they feel for Allardyce. I ran a poll asking if fans would rather be relegated or have Allardyce on the touchline again. Relegation won by a wide margin.

So when reports started circulating about Carlo Ancelotti as Everton’s top target, I laughed. Ancelotti to Everton? Right. The story kept circulating, but I never let myself believe it was real. The Ancelotti? With three Champions League wins? One of the best managers in the world? That sort of hire has always been out of our reach.

Used to be out of our reach.

It’s real. Everton is now managed by Carlo Ancelotti.

It’s a historic coup for the club, but it’s also a statement of intent. Farhad Moshiri wants Everton to be a globally-recognized club on the same level as Man City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man United and Liverpool. He’s spent a lot of money on players so far — most of it wasted — but this is the most meaningful and important thing he’s done since buying the club.

Why?

It is almost impossible for clubs of Everton’s current level to attract upper tier players, sponsors and managers. It takes just one hire to change the way a club is viewed; That one hire is often just out of reach.

Everton made that hire.

From this day on, Everton will be viewed in a different light by world-class players. If Ancelotti never wins a trophy for the club, it will still have been worth it. The club is owned by a free-spending billionaire, which is helpful, but Everton is now Ancelotti’s Everton.

That’s far more valuable than whatever Moshiri is paying his new manager.

Quoted

Carlo Ancelotti:

This is a great club with a rich history and a very passionate fan base. There is a clear vision from the Owner and the Board to deliver success and trophies. That is something that appeals to me as a manager and I am thrilled at the prospect of being able to work with everybody at the Club to help make that vision a reality.

I have seen from the performances in the last two weeks that the players are capable of so much. The work Duncan has done is a great credit to him. Strong organisation, strong discipline and the right motivation are some of the key ingredients in football and I’m pleased that he will be part of my backroom team moving forward.

Marcel Brands:

Following a rigorous process conducted by all of our Directors, it is a pleasure to now welcome Carlo Ancelotti to Everton. He is one of the finest managers in world football and a proven winner, having achieved a remarkable level of success in each of Europe’s major leagues.

He is the perfect appointment for us. He embraces our vision for the Club and we are sure that his enthusiasm to take the helm at Goodison together with his tactical abilities and well-renowned man-management will make him successful in this role. This was a clear and exciting decision for the Board to make. It was a unanimous choice and one we were all fully united behind throughout. Carlo has proven time and again, he knows how to build a trophy-winning side and we share the excitement of our fans at the prospect of him leading our team in the years ahead. We’re all greatly looking forward to working with him.