Cristiano Ronaldo once described Carlo Ancelotti as a ‘fantastic guy and a fantastic coach’ and conceded he missed the Italian coach and wanted to work with him again.
Real Madrid manager Ancelotti has emerged as a target for United as they search for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s long term replacement at the club.
Ralf Rangnick was placed in temporary charge of the team after Solskjaer’s sacking in November, but the German coach is expected to move into a consultancy role at the end of the campaign instead of continuing as head coach.
Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag are believed to be the frontunners to take over at United, but recent reports claim Ancelotti is also in the running and has the backing of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ancelotti has won titles in Italy, Spain, France, Germany and England during his outstanding 30-year managerial career and worked with Ronaldo at Real Madrid.
The pair won the UEFA Champions League together in 2014 and Ronaldo admitted after Ancelotti left the Bernabeu that he wanted the chance to work with him again in the future.
‘Mr. Ancelotti was an unbelievable surprise,’ the Manchester United star told ESPN in 2015. ‘In the beginning, I thought he was more a tough person, kind of arrogant – but it was the opposite. He’s like a big bear, I’d say! He’s a cute guy, such a sensitive person.
‘He spoke with us every day. Not just with me but with all the players. He had fun with us. He’s an unbelievable person.
‘I just wish every player could have an opportunity to work with him because he’s a fantastic guy, a fantastic coach, and I miss him a lot because we won many trophies together.
‘I wish to work with him again one day. But now I’m good, I have a new coach and I’m happy too, but it’s great I have good memories.’
