Carlo Ancelotti is one of the greatest managers of all-time. Anyone who argues that to the contrary is just flat out wrong. His brilliance is simple and he’s always seeing things a couple steps before they happen. So while a lot of us were left bewildered by his sacking four days ago, I know Carlo saw the writing on the wall. His lineup against PSG was his way of turning into Stone Cold Steve Austin. But Bayern’s mutinous dysfunction is another tale. One of the world’s best managers is in need of a gig. Who’s going to give it to him?
AC MILAN
Who says you can’t go home? Milan is where Ancelotti made his name as both a player and a manager. He won two European titles as each at the San Siro.
But despite preseason fanfare, this Milan side has struggled through the early part of the Serie A calendar. Manager Vincenzo Montella is on the hot seat with three losses in his last five Serie A tilts. His side also needed a winner at the death to save blushes against Croatian side Rijeka in the Europa League. They seem lost at the back with Montella’s possession driven style as players find themselves routinely out of position.
Normally a seventh-placed team wouldn’t find its way onto Ancelotti’s radar, but this is Milan. They have the talent he needs and have shown the willingness to spend that he will use in January and beyond. This is the best case scenario for him post-Bayern in terms of a warm reception as well as in potential returns.
ARSENAL
Who says you can’t go home…kinda? Arsenal is a more intriguing option than Milan but comes with vastly more questions with a London move for Ancelotti.
First, would this be the man that Arsene Wenger would finally step aside for? Every name under the sun has been discussed as Wenger’s eventual replacement at the Emirates, but alas the Frenchman still remains at the helm. A front office position is all but definite once he hangs up his puffy jacket, so why not do so with such a free agent find at the ready?
Ancelotti seems keen on a return to England following his Bayern dismissal, but the options in the Premier League are limited. Spurs, Liverpool, and both Manchester clubs don’t look as if they’ll be changing managers any time soon. That leaves Chelsea and Arsenal as realistic Ancelotti suitors. Antonio Conte may have one foot out the door with the Blues, but after winning a title I’ll believe the Italian wants out when I see him actually walk out. That leaves the Gunners. Wenger will have to step aside eventually. Instead of the most drawn-out resume perusal in football history, just pull the trigger on Ancelotti. Even if it is a brief spell, his pedigree in the Champions League should give Arsenal fans hope in the competition they haven’t had in over a decade. Once they get back to it of course.
MLS
Consider this last one more of a plea than an actual rumored landing spot.
Ancelotti has won titles all across Europe. Since taking the Juventus job in 1999, every single stop of his coaching career has seen silverware put in each team’s trophy case. Why not take a stab across the pond?
MLS is still growing as a league, yet have started to lure more and more top-notch foreign managers to go with a greater influx of foreign talent. Tata Martino at Atlanta United and Patrick Vieira at NYCFC are great in their own right, but neither hold a candle to Ancelotti in management.
The team in MLS that would make the most sense is the LA Galaxy. They need something to make people forget about this dreadful campaign, as well as incoming LAFC who already nabbed Bob Bradley. I’d love to see Carlo replace Jay Heaps in New England for my Revs, but let’s not get crazy here. If Ancelotti is going to give MLS a go, it’ll almost certainly be with the Galaxy.
Where do you think Carlo Ancelotti will land next? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter @sportsftb or myself @TREVORutley.