Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insists there has been a ‘misunderstanding’ with UEFA over his expiring credentials, as he already sat a management course in October.
The story emerged last month that Ancelotti’s badges had expired on December 31, so technically he would not be allowed to sit on the Real Madrid bench.
In order to renew the licence, he’d have to sit an exam, which seemed a little odd for someone with over 1,200 competitive matches under his belt and 21 trophies including the Champions League, Serie A, Premier League, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 titles.
“I am someone who tries to follow the law, even if I don’t always manage it, so I think this was a misunderstanding,” Ancelotti told the Corriere dello Sport.
“The licence was due to expire, but fortunately the Spanish coaching association let me have a course in October, so there must be some lack of communication with UEFA.”
It’s not clear what UEFA believe Ancelotti needed to learn from this management course, considering he is already one of the most successful managers in the history of the sport.
The 62-year-old took his first job at Reggiana in 1995, going on to command the players at Parma, Juventus, Milan, Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Napoli and Everton.
He has revitalised the Merengues this season with 24 victories, five draws and only three defeats in all competition.
Ancelotti: «Patentino scaduto? Solo un malinteso» https://t.co/Xn9AoHDkds pic.twitter.com/gR8HXxOpH2
— Calcio e Finanza (@CalcioFinanza) February 3, 2022
This is an absurd government overreach. He is a football manager, not a physician or engineer. I have always thought it stupid to “license” football managers–or handball, basketball, swimming, or any other sport for that matter. The fact that Leonardo did not have a “license” to coach was an insult to his career. It would also be an insult to Mourinho or Rafa Benitez, two others who never played the game but have certainly proven their worth (like them or not).
A background check for those who coach youth? Absolutely. But a government license to manage a football team? Silly, pointless, and unneeded.
UEFA aren’t the government