Carlo Ancelotti: The ideal candidate for England?

Carlo Ancelotti is one of the most successful and respected managers in world football. He has won trophies in every country he has worked in, including four UEFA Champions League titles, the most by any coach in history. He has also managed some of the biggest clubs in Europe, such as AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. But could he be the next manager of the England national team?

Ancelotti is currently in charge of Real Madrid, his second spell at the Spanish giants. He returned to the club in June 2021, after leaving Everton unexpectedly. He had spent 18 months at Goodison Park, where he led the Toffees to a 10th-place finish in the Premier League in his only full season. He also achieved some memorable results, such as beating Liverpool at Anfield for the first time since 1999 and securing wins over Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Arsenal.

However, Ancelotti could not resist the lure of Real Madrid, where he had previously won the Champions League in 2014, as well as the Copa del Rey and the FIFA Club World Cup. He replaced Zinedine Zidane, who had resigned after failing to win any major trophy in 2020/21. Ancelotti was welcomed back by the fans and the players, who admired his calm and charismatic style of management.

But what if Ancelotti had a different opportunity? What if he was offered the chance to lead England to glory at the next World Cup or European Championship? Would he be interested? And would he be a good fit?

The pros of Ancelotti for England

There are many reasons why Ancelotti could be an ideal candidate for England. Here are some of them:

  • He has vast experience and knowledge of international football. He played for Italy 26 times, scoring once, and participated in two World Cups and one European Championship. He also coached Italy as an assistant between 1992 and 1995. He knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level of the game.
  • He has a proven track record of winning trophies with different teams and players. He has won 15 major titles in his career, including league titles in Italy, England, France and Germany. He has also won the Champions League with two different clubs: AC Milan and Real Madrid. He knows how to build a winning mentality and a strong team spirit.
  • He has a flexible and adaptable approach to tactics and formations. He can play with different systems depending on the players he has at his disposal and the opponents he faces. He can switch from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 with ease. He can also balance attack and defence, depending on the situation. He is not dogmatic or rigid in his philosophy.
  • He has excellent man-management skills and communication abilities. He is known for his calmness, his humour and his respect for his players. He can motivate them, inspire them and make them feel confident and comfortable. He can also handle the pressure and the expectations that come with managing a big team or a national team.

The cons of Ancelotti for England

However, there are also some drawbacks or challenges that Ancelotti could face if he was to become England manager. Here are some of them:

  • He has never managed a national team before. Managing a national team is different from managing a club team. You have less time to work with your players, you have less control over their fitness and form, you have more competition from other countries and you have fewer chances to correct your mistakes or improve your performance.
  • He may not be familiar with some of the English players or their potential. Although he has worked in England twice, with Chelsea and Everton, he may not have seen enough of some of the younger or less established players who could make an impact for England in the future. He may also have some biases or preferences based on his previous experiences with some players.
  • He may not be able to cope with the media scrutiny and criticism that comes with being England manager. Ancelotti is used to dealing with demanding media outlets in Italy and Spain, but he may not be prepared for the intensity and negativity that often surrounds the England team. He may also face some hostility or resentment from some fans or pundits who may question his loyalty or commitment to England.
  • He may not be interested