Sigurdsson Explains Keys To Ancelotti Success

Gylfi Sigurdsson says Carlo Ancelotti’s “cool” demeanour and first-rate communication skills go a long way towards explaining the Italian’s prodigious managerial career.

Icelander Sigurdsson was discovering Everton manager Ancelotti’s methods at close quarters before Premier League football was postponed last month.

Ancelotti came to Everton in December and seized on the bounce created by Duncan Ferguson’s joyous caretaker reign to claim 18 points from his opening 11 games in charge.

Sigurdsson has been a mainstay of Ancelotti’s early Everton teams, starting all nine games for which he was available.

Significantly, Everton were establishing a recognisable and competitive style under Ancelotti – three times a Champions League winner and architect of domestic title-winning campaigns in four countries – and had moved onto the shoulders of teams aiming for European football next term.

“It is easy to see why the manager has been so successful around Europe and we picked up straight away when he came in,” Sigurdsson told evertonfc.com.

“He does not complicate things, his instructions are simple and we are all clear on what we are doing.

“We are very organised defensively, he does a lot of work on that.


“He is a cool guy and creates a good atmosphere in training.

“He keeps every player happy and speaks to everyone. He’ll talk to you in the canteen about whatever is happening in the world.

“He’ll ask about you and what’s happening in your life. He has the ability to make all the players feel relaxed and tries to get the best from every player.

“He has done it with the best in the world and won trophies throughout his career and you trust in everything he says."

Sigurdsson was in the Everton side which beat Burnley in Ancelotti’s debut fixture on Boxing Day.

He won four of his next five games in the team while adapting to an unfamiliar assignment deep in midfield.

The 30-year-old agreed with his boss’s assertion that the one time Everton veered away from their strengths since Ancelotti’s appointment was the defeat at Chelsea immediately before football was shutdown.

Equally, Ancelotti’s conviction that one setback wouldn’t harm his side’s wider progress chimed with Sigurdsson.

Whenever football does resume, the former Swansea City player is ready to help Everton continue making strides from his new position.

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04:13

VIDEO DIARY: MICHAEL KEANE

Everton defender's insight on routine away from Club.


Sigurdsson recently told evertonfc.com about his greater defensive responsibility under Ancelotti.

And he revealed the former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich manager’s preference for clear and concise instructions extended to what he asks of Sigurdsson on the ball.

“I have to keep it simple, keep it moving and not take too many touches,” said Sigurdsson.

“I have to do my defensive bit but also get on the ball and make simple passes.

“Get it to the players who are dangerous going forwards and those up at the top where they can make things happen.

“Everything was feeling positive around the Club before football stopped and we are definitely heading in the right direction.

“We lost a couple of games [away at Arsenal and Chelsea] but we’re not too far from sixth.

“Everyone was looking forward to building on what we’ve been doing since the manager arrived.

“It will be exciting if we can get back in and restart the season and see how far we can go.”