REAL MADRID approached Jose Mourinho about replacing Zinedine Zidane BEFORE they hired Carlo Ancelotti, according to reports.
Los Blancos got in touch with the Portuguese at the end of last week but having agreed to take the Roma gig on May 4, the SunSport columnist turned it down.
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Mourinho was informally approached by Real at the end of last week before they made contact again over the weekend, according to the Telegraph.
Both Mourinho and Ancelotti have previously managed Real.
But Mourinho – who was sacked by Tottenham in April – made it clear he had no interest in a return as he had agreed to take the Roma job and is excited by the challenge ahead.
Real’s Champions League status is in doubt next season with the threat of a Uefa ban hanging over their heads as a result of their involvement in the renegade European Super League plot.
They also have crippling debts in the region of £1BILLION which could limit their spending.
Despite their woes, Real managed to persuade Everton to part with Ancelotti swiftly.
And they announced the Italian as their new boss on Tuesday.
The LaLiga giants had been on the hunt for a new boss ever since Zidane’s departure last week following a sub-par 2020-21 campaign.
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Ancelotti is returning to the club he managed between 2013 and 2015 on a three-year deal.
The 61-year-old had been under contract at Goodison Park until the end of the 2023-24 season.
But after the Toffees’ Champions League pursuit crumbled – eventually finishing the season in tenth – Ancelotti terminated his contract to head back to the Spanish capital.
The former Chelsea boss said: “I would like to thank the board of directors, the players, and the Evertonians for the tremendous support they have all given me during my time at the club.
“I have complete respect for everyone associated with Everton and hope they can achieve the exciting opportunities they have in front of them.
“While I have enjoyed being at Everton I have been presented with an unexpected opportunity which I believe is the right move for me and my family at this time.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
