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Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid: Everton manager favourite to succeed Zidane in Bernabeu return

 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Carlo Ancelotti is the favourite to become the next Real Madrid manager, with the Everton boss set to make a sensational return to the Bernabeu.

Ancelotti, 61, coached Real Madrid from 2013 to 2015, and led Los Blancos to four trophies - including the Champions League.

The Italian won the Champions League in 2014 along with Copa del Rey, the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, and is one of only three coaches to win the European Cup three times.

The other two to have done so are Bob Paisley and Zidane, with Ancelotti set to succeed the latter after the French legend left the Real hotseat at the end of the 2020/21 season.

Real endured a trophyless campaign - their first in 11 years - as they were beaten to the Spanish titele by city rivals Atletico on the last day of the season.

Ancelotti endured a frustrating campaign at Goodison Park, with Everton eventually finishing 10th after seeing their hopes of Champions League qualification fade following a poor run-in.

The Toffees boasted the fourth-best away record in the League, but only picked up 22 points from their 19 home games.

Everton’s disappointing finish appears to matter little to Real Madrid though, with Ancelotti reportedly agreeing to terminate his contract with the Merseyside club in order to retake one of the biggest jobs in world football.

Antonio Conte - who left Inter Milan soon after their Serie A title triumph - and Mauricio Pochettino are also among the favourites for the role, but Ancelotti’s odds have been drastically cut by various bookmakers.

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