Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the reason he once declined the opportunity to manage the Italian national team. The Real Madrid boss confirmed he was approached about the role before Roberto Mancini took over in 2018 but ultimately chose not to accept the offer.
In a recent interview with RSI, the veteran coach shared that he simply didn’t feel suited to the role. “I didn’t feel like it,” Ancelotti admitted, explaining that he prefers the daily involvement that comes with club football. According to him, working with a national team felt more like a “part-time job” that risked diminishing his enthusiasm for coaching.
Praise for Inzaghi’s Instincts
Ancelotti also reflected on Filippo Inzaghi, who played under him at Milan and was instrumental in the team’s Champions League triumphs. He described Inzaghi as a forward with exceptional awareness and an uncanny ability to exploit spaces on the pitch.
“He had a special talent for reading plays,” said Ancelotti. He noted that while Inzaghi scored more than 300 goals in his career, only a small portion—fewer than 10 percent—were scored with more than one touch.
Real Madrid Return Sparked by Ancelotti’s Call
The Italian manager returned to Real Madrid in 2021 after a spell at Everton, but the comeback wasn’t entirely initiated by the club. Ancelotti revealed that he was the one who reached out to Madrid first, having previously contacted the Spanish side about potential player availability. That earlier exchange led to the signing of James Rodriguez.
Knowing they were on the lookout for a new manager the following year, Ancelotti made contact again. “I told the director they needed to find a good coach,” he recalled. Since his return, he has added two more Champions League titles to his name, becoming the most decorated coach in the history of the competition.
