Carlo Ancelotti, one of football’s most accomplished and respected managers, it was an opportunity he chose to walk away from. Why? Because the role, in his own words, threatened the very thing that has kept his fire burning all these years: his daily passion for the game. For most Italian coaches, the chance to manage the Azzurri—the Italian national football team—is seen as the pinnacle of their career.
In a candid interview with Swiss outlet RSI, the Real Madrid manager opened up about the moment he declined the Italian national team job, a decision that still sparks curiosity among fans and pundits alike.
The Offer That Was Never Meant to Be
It was in 2018, after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years, that the Italian Football Federation went searching for a seasoned leader who could bring stability and prestige back to the team. Ancelotti, with a resume boasting Champions League titles and league wins across Europe, was a natural first choice.
But surprisingly, he turned the offer down.
“I’ve always loved being on the training pitch,” Ancelotti explained. “The national team job didn’t feel right. It felt like something that would pull me away from the essence of coaching—working closely with players, every single day.”
Instead, the job eventually went to Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to a triumphant Euro 2020 victory. But even with that success, Ancelotti has no regrets.
Ancelotti, A Coach Who Needs the Grass Beneath His Feet
For Ancelotti, football management isn’t about sitting in the stands, watching and waiting. It’s about rhythm, routine, and building something day by day. In his mind, the nature of international coaching—brief training camps, months of inactivity, and limited time with players—simply doesn’t compare.
“The national team felt like a part-time job,” he said. “You don’t get to live the game in the same way. You lose the emotion that comes with the weekly grind, the problem-solving, the tactical tweaks. And that scared me. I didn’t want to lose my love for the game.”
This personal philosophy reflects why Ancelotti has always gravitated toward club football, where he can nurture player relationships, implement ideas in real time, and evolve a team across a full season.
The Unexpected Return to Madrid
Ancelotti’s career took another major turn in 2021, when he returned to manage Real Madrid, a club where he had already achieved great success—including “La Décima,” the club’s historic 10th Champions League title in 2014.
Interestingly, it wasn’t Real Madrid that initiated the reunion—it was Ancelotti himself who made the first move.
“I called them first,” he recalled. “Initially, I was just asking about players who might be available for transfer. We ended up signing James Rodriguez. But I also knew they might be looking for a new manager. So I said, ‘If you’re searching, you should look for someone good.’”
That conversation evolved quickly, and within weeks, Ancelotti was once again at the helm of one of football’s most iconic clubs. Since then, he’s added more silverware to his collection and etched his name in history as the most successful coach in UEFA Champions League history with five titles to his name—two with Real Madrid, two with AC Milan, and one with Chelsea.
For Ancelotti, Legacy Over National Glory
Turning down the Italian national team might have seemed puzzling to some, but for Ancelotti, it was a matter of staying true to his identity. He is not just a tactical genius—he’s a football romantic, someone who thrives on the sweat and emotion of club football.
His story reminds us that success isn’t always about chasing the most prestigious titles. Sometimes, it’s about knowing what fuels your soul and following that path, even if it means saying no to something millions dream of.
In a football world that often prioritizes status over substance, Carlo Ancelotti’s decision stands out—not just as a bold career move, but as a quiet testament to what it really means to love the game.
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