Ancelotti Exclusive On Everton Dream

Carlo Ancelotti says his Everton “dream” involves developing a team that “controls games and plays fantastic, attacking football” – and ultimately allows the manager to enjoy a celebratory singalong.

Italian Ancelotti was appointed last month and immediately prioritised improving Everton’s Premier League position.

Three wins from four have moved the Blues to 11th and within striking distance of Manchester United in fifth – albeit Ancelotti reckons Everton were more “effective” than attractive in beating Burnley, Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

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The overwhelmingly positive response to Ancelotti’s arrival is reflected in the terrace chant sung in his honour by Evertonians.

And the former Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid boss wants the nature of his team’s football to give those fans more to shout about.

“The dream is to have a team that can control the game and play fantastic football and win games with an attacking style,” Ancelotti told evertontv.

“But a manager has to know the characteristics of their players and adapt a system to these characteristics.

“I would like to have a style of play which attracts the supporters and feels comfortable for the players.

“When you arrive in the middle of the season you have no time and no possibility to change a lot of things.

“The last games we did not change a lot, the most important thing in this period was to win.

“We were not in a good position but now it is a little bit better.

“The changes I made were not so important in this period, in my opinion.

“The fact the team showed a good spirit was the key point in [achieving] the results. The attitude of the team was good.

“In the games we played, we did not play so well but we were effective and won three times.”


Everton’s 1-0 home success against Brighton last week provided a welcome shot in the arm following an FA Cup defeat at Liverpool.

It also represented an immediate Premier League response after Ancelotti’s side lost to champions Manchester City on New Year’s Day.

Everton visit West Ham United on Saturday and could potentially climb three places in a condensed table with victory at the London Stadium.

The 16th-placed Hammers thumped Bournemouth 4-0 in new manager David Moyes’s first game in charge on New Year’s Day but went down 1-0 at Sheffield United on their most recent outing.

“When you win the atmosphere [among players] is better, you can work in a more relaxed way and be more focussed,” said Ancelotti.

“I think the spirit of the team in training sessions is really good.

“Saturday is a great opportunity for us to take points, to try to do our best.

“We have the conditions: the spirit in the team is good, we have confidence in this moment and it went well in the last game.

“The fact we trained this week [without a game] can help us be strong.

“We know it will be difficult because West Ham changed their manager, like Everton.

“They will be motivated and want to go up the table.

“It will be difficult but we have to go against West Ham with confidence.”

Everton’s matches since Ancelotti’s arrival have been played to the regular sound of ‘Carlo Fantastico’, the song created by supporters for their venerated manager.

Ancelotti is one of only three managers to win the Champions League on three occasions and has claimed domestic titles in four countries.

“The reception I had was fantastic,” added Ancelotti.

“The fact they [Evertonians] invented this song for me was unusual but makes me feel really happy.

“I really enjoyed it.

“I have to learn this song, it is not difficult.

“I like to sing – I used to sing when we won trophies.

“I hope to sing soon.”