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.