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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Adam Jones

'I would have stayed' - Carlo Ancelotti addresses Everton exit decision after Real Madrid call

Carlo Ancelotti has addressed his summer exit from Everton once again - claiming that he would have stayed at the club if anyone other than Real Madrid had contacted him.

The Italian took over at Goodison Park in December 2019 following the sacking of Marco Silva. He remained in charge of the club for 67 matches, winning 31 of those games.

However, in June 2021, Everton fans were shocked by Ancelotti's decision to leave the club, taking up the vacant position at Real Madrid after Zinedine Zidane's departure. He was replaced at Goodison Park controversially by Rafael Benitez, who was sacked in January 2022.

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Speaking ahead of the Spanish giants taking on Chelsea in their Champions League quarter final, the Italian has looked back on his decision to leave Merseyside, and admitted that he "couldn't say no" when the opportunity to return to Real Madrid cropped up once more.

He said [via Marca ]: "[Real Madrid] were the only team I couldn't say no to.

"If anyone else had come, I would have stayed at Everton. I was very good there. If Madrid are happy at the end of the season, I think I will continue to be happy, as I am now."

Real Madrid currently sit 12 points clear at the top of the La Liga table and take a 3-1 advantage into the second leg of their Champions League quarter final against Chelsea this week having won at Stamford Bridge.

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