Carlo Ancelotti, the renowned football coach who most recently managed Real Madrid and previously Everton, has taken legal action against Everton in London’s high court.
This development comes as yet another setback for Everton, a club that has faced financial difficulties in recent years, including ongoing efforts to secure funds for the completion of its new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
According to court records, Ancelotti’s lawyers filed the claim against his former employers on Friday.
The nature of the claim is described as pertaining to “general commercial contracts and arrangements” and is scheduled to be heard in the commercial court.
Unfortunately, further details regarding the specific basis of Ancelotti’s claim have not been disclosed at this time. Ancelotti’s legal team declined to comment, while Everton has yet to respond to inquiries from The Guardian.
This lawsuit by Ancelotti adds to the mounting pressure on Everton’s board and owner, as the club is expected to sell several players during the summer transfer window, despite narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League last season.
The legal action also takes place amid ongoing efforts by the club’s majority owner, Farhad Moshiri, to attract investment. Reports suggest that Moshiri has been on the verge of securing a deal for months, although no official announcement has been made.
In a recent development, Everton obtained a bridging loan, using the club’s new stadium as collateral, to provide temporary financial support while negotiations for an investment deal continue.
Sources close to the negotiations have informed The Guardian that the investment offer currently on the table would result in Moshiri, who has invested an estimated £750 million into Everton, losing control of the club without receiving any compensation.
Furthermore, on Monday, the club announced the departure of several key executives, including chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance and strategy officer Grant Ingles, and non-executive director Graeme Sharp.
These personnel changes indicate a period of significant transition and potential instability within the club.
Ancelotti’s Everton tenure
Ancelotti’s tenure at Everton began in December 2019, when he signed a four-and-a-half-year contract. However, his time with the club was relatively short-lived, as he left after just 18 months to return to Real Madrid and replace Zinedine Zidane in June 2021.
During his tenure at Everton, Ancelotti led the team through 67 matches, securing 12th and 10th place finishes in the Premier League.
In a statement on Everton’s official website at the time of his departure, Ancelotti expressed his respect for everyone associated with the club and expressed his hopes for their future success.
He cited an unexpected opportunity that he believed was the right move for him and his family.
