Carlo Ancelotti believes the Merseyside rivalry will get Toffees support for Real Madrid in Champions League Final
After spells at Napoli and Bayern Munich, Ancelotti was appointed to Everton's board in December 2019. The Toffees finished 12th during that season and 10th in his last full campaign as a manager before making a spectacular return to the Bernabeu
Fans in the stands hold up a banner for Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti during the Premier League match at Goodison ParkThis decision proved to be a masterstroke. Ancelotti helped Real Madrid win LaLiga and led them on a rollercoaster ride up to Saturday's Champions League final.
Ancelotti will manage a record fifth Champions League final when Real Madrid takes on Liverpool after returning from Everton last year.
"It is a big contrast… I've thought about how things were very different last year," the former Everton boss said.
"It's been a big feat to get to this point. We think we've had a very good season, and we are very close to achieving something huge this season."
Ancelotti's departure hurt many at Goodison Park, but they're sure to get behind their old manager at the Stade de France on Saturday.
"I know that the Evertonians support us tomorrow," Ancelotti said.
"I know there is a big rivalry on Merseyside," Ancelotti continued. "I have a good memory from my time spent in Liverpool on the blue side, and I'm sure they will support me tomorrow."
It was no surprise that Ancelotti appeared relaxed and confident at the pre-match press conference, given how well prepared he was.
"This is something you dream about, but you can't control it," he mentioned. "It's my fifth final. I have good memories of all of these finals."
Carlo Ancelotti seems to have changed tunes
When asked about his time at the Merseyside club, Ancelotti has not always been complimentary. In November, he appeared to take a dig at the Toffees.
In response to whether he finds managing Real Madrid or Everton harder, Ancelotti replied, "It's better to have a Ferrari than a Fiat 500."
He seems to have now changed his tune just a year after leaving the Premier League club to take over Zinedine Zidane's place in the Spanish capital.
Ancelotti will be at the Stade de France to play in his fifth Champions League final, a feat no other manager has achieved.
He has won three out of the four finals he led his side in. His only loss was with AC Milan against Liverpool in Istanbul in 2005. He fondly recalls it as the best performance.
"It's a bit strange to think about it, but I think the best (performance) was the final against Liverpool in 2005. But we lost it at AC Milan."
After winning the LaLiga title earlier this month, a win against Liverpool will ensure that Real Madrid earns their second major trophy in Ancelotti's first season back at the helm.