Carlo Ancelotti sues Everton
Carlo Ancelotti is suing Everton in London's High Court two years after leaving for Real Madrid.
The Italian abruptly left the Blues 18 months into his contract to return to the Bernabeu having managed the club for just one full season.
According to court records, Ancelotti's claims against Everton relate to 'general commercial contracts and arrangements'.
No further details are forthcoming in the suit which was lodged late on Friday and Ancelotti's lawyers said they had no comment while calls by The Guardian to Everton went unanswered.
Ancelotti joined Everton in something of a coup for owner Farhad Moshiri in December 2019, taking over from Marco Silva who had been sacked three weeks previously. He steered the club to a 12th-place finish and had them in second place by Boxing Day the following season but the team's form fell away and they slumped to 10th.
Everton and their supporters were looking ahead to further rebuilding in the summer of 2021 when Ancelotti announced that he would be answering the call from his former club and returning to Madrid.
Reader Comments (95)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()
3 Posted 12/06/2023 at 15:51:36
Anyway, yet more fuckwittery from our board by the sound of it
4 Posted 12/06/2023 at 15:59:33
sickening how these vultures have fed off the carcass of Everton to shamelessly enrich themselves. All that bollocks 'do you know Crosby?'
5 Posted 12/06/2023 at 16:17:51
6 Posted 12/06/2023 at 16:21:24
7 Posted 12/06/2023 at 16:24:23
8 Posted 12/06/2023 at 16:26:37
This will run and run I reckon.
9 Posted 12/06/2023 at 16:26:43
It's possible. There's no way he wasn't getting his basic eleven pa, and this was probably an add-on. The way he treated us though, I'm betting this is him ensuring he gets every last penny from that joke of a contract.
10 Posted 12/06/2023 at 16:40:02
I liked Carlo when he was with us and he was spouting all that nonsense about loyalty etc. Turns out, he's just another greedy football bastard like the rest of 'em.
11 Posted 12/06/2023 at 16:41:43
12 Posted 12/06/2023 at 16:43:35
No one knows the details and we may have a solid defence. (Just don't put Keane on the legal team).
13 Posted 12/06/2023 at 16:44:21
Nothing should surprise us about this Club. Didn't Ancelotti walk out on Everton?
14 Posted 12/06/2023 at 16:47:05
Next season optimism evaporating quickly.
15 Posted 12/06/2023 at 17:01:14
16 Posted 12/06/2023 at 17:14:25
I am the Old Lady, aka Goodison Park.
I thought I should let you know that I am out of here. I resign as a football ground with immediate effect.
I have accepted a contract from a source I cannot name at this moment in time. However, I can say I can no longer take being abused by you two and the cronies you employ.
I have a rich heritage and have my standards which are miles and miles above those you hold so dear, ie, being crap, buying crap, replacing that crap with worse crap.
Believe me when I say I know good teams from bad teams. I know a proper footballer from a clown, having witnessed Ball, Kendall and Harvey, Dixie Dean, Neville Southall and several teams who became League Champions / FA Cup Winners and one that won a European Trophy.
I've even seen the mighty Bayern Munich humbled… but that was so, so long ago. So that's it; I'm off. I wish you well for 2023-24 and hope Walton Hall Park or some other venue will volunteer itself to witness the mess you continue to make of my dear Everton.
Goodbye and Good Riddance.
17 Posted 12/06/2023 at 17:14:33
18 Posted 12/06/2023 at 17:17:36
19 Posted 12/06/2023 at 17:37:45
ps: I've resigned, Best wishes, Denise.
20 Posted 12/06/2023 at 18:17:39
He left us floundering and now he is proving he is a shithouse and we are a crock of shit at a senior level.
21 Posted 12/06/2023 at 18:22:09
22 Posted 12/06/2023 at 18:55:42
And Kenwright needs to go.
23 Posted 12/06/2023 at 18:58:44
Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid coach and former manager of Everton, is suing the Premier League club in London's high court.
The move appears to be the latest blow to Everton, who have endured a series of financial struggles in recent years including a 3-year effort to raise funds to complete the building of their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Ancelotti's lawyers filed the coach's claim against his former employers late on Friday, according to court records. It relates to “general commercial contracts and arrangements†and is listed to be heard in the commercial court.
24 Posted 12/06/2023 at 19:03:19
I wouldn't be overly shocked to find this High Court case dropped in the near future, or at the very least ‘settled quietly' and voila…
Maybe it's a Reà l case of “Once a Blue, Always a Blueâ€.
Of course, I may be completely dreaming but one always has that to cling to.
25 Posted 12/06/2023 at 19:37:27
26 Posted 12/06/2023 at 19:43:17
27 Posted 12/06/2023 at 19:45:42
28 Posted 12/06/2023 at 19:54:09
The timing is interesting though as litigation cases can throw a spanner in the works of a transaction, ie, our MSP deal. Presume it's been launched now to get maximum leverage and possibly get us to settle out of court – which is usually cheaper as the legal bills get horrendous in a short space of time.
Either way, not exactly great PR being sued by a legendary manager of the game.
29 Posted 12/06/2023 at 20:37:32
I hope we defend it and stick him in the witness box and question him on how much work he did and if Davide actually did all the work.
30 Posted 12/06/2023 at 20:47:44
Perhaps, you have hit on the crucial detail, perhaps Carlo thought his son would automatically fill his role when he left for Madrid?
Everything isn't always about money, although it does seem to be the main reason most of the time.
31 Posted 12/06/2023 at 20:53:40
I'm assuming he hasn't made up his case on a whim. I suspect he's been palmed off and told he'll get his cash but he's run out of patience.
32 Posted 12/06/2023 at 21:00:48
For fuck's sake, what next? Ball boys annoyed they got hit by a ball of all things.
He can fuck right off, any respect for him went when he left us in the lurch, gobshite.
33 Posted 12/06/2023 at 21:11:44
Who exactly ended the contract early?
And how much compensation was paid to us by Real Madrid?
34 Posted 12/06/2023 at 21:32:56
Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid coach and former manager of Everton, is suing the Premier League club in London's high court. The move appears to be the latest blow to Everton, who have endured a series of financial struggles in recent years including a three-year effort to raise funds to complete the building of their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. Ancelotti's lawyers filed the coach's claim against his former employers late on Friday, according to court records. It relates to “general commercial contracts and arrangements†and is listed to be heard in the commercial court. There were no further details provided about the basis of Ancelotti's claim, which has kicked off two years after he left Goodison following an 18‑month spell. Ancelotti's lawyers said they had no comment. Everton have not returned the Guardian's calls requesting comment. News of Ancelotti's claim emerged on a day of upheaval at Everton, who announced that three directors had left. The chairman, Bill Kenwright, is also thought to be preparing to leave in the next 48 hours in what is seen as a signal on Merseyside that fresh investment may finally be on its way from the New York‑based MSP Sports Capital.
35 Posted 12/06/2023 at 21:46:25
For Don Carlo it's never personal, just business.
36 Posted 12/06/2023 at 21:48:23
It is believed to be a tax problem around that payment which Ancelotti wants resolved by Everton.â€
Argument over tax on his ٠m bonus, he's saying Everton we're contractually obligated to pay it by the sounds of it.
What was the bonus for, any idea? I can't think of anything.
37 Posted 12/06/2023 at 22:00:07
38 Posted 12/06/2023 at 22:07:28
Look at Man City... it's only due to money, same with Chelsea, that they got where they are. I'd rather teams were limited the same – same transfer money and same allowance on wages – to bring it under control for all teams under Uefa or Fifa control.
One average to top player can cost 㿼mill plus wages, madness. Which does not mean he will perform either and every bit as likely to be sitting around Dele Alli's hippy pot table. Staggering... it really is staggering.
39 Posted 12/06/2023 at 22:28:02
We are a joke, a farce by every measure — the worst top-flight managed team on the planet.
40 Posted 12/06/2023 at 22:58:54
I can very much imagine Carlo relaxing upstairs during training.
He always appeared not really bothered to me.
Perhaps he has simply made too much money and grown old and weary.
Contrast with Moyes, who, for his sins, was over the moon to win the third tier Euro Cup the other day.
41 Posted 12/06/2023 at 23:23:12
42 Posted 13/06/2023 at 00:40:37
43 Posted 13/06/2023 at 01:42:11
"Hey, Missus A, I got an idea. Everton is in the shit. I'll sue them for a few mil. While they're so busy defending FFP and reorganising the board, they'll likely settle out of court!"
44 Posted 13/06/2023 at 06:06:54
46 Posted 13/06/2023 at 07:42:08
Shafted us for millions and jumped ship at the first opportunity. One of the many crooks who have shafted us over Bungalow Bill's reign.
Showed how talented he was when we finished mid-table.
Loved the club? My ass.
Gobshite of the highest order.
47 Posted 13/06/2023 at 07:53:47
I can then move back home, buy a little pad near town and then put the rest of my ill-gotten gains back into Everton season tickets for more torment and suffering.
48 Posted 13/06/2023 at 09:59:37
I suppose you have to ask if any promises made are actually in the written contract and if he resigned before Everton had opportunity to fulfill those promises and if those promises are null and void if it meant Everton breaching the Premier Leagues P&S regulations and should Ancelotti have made himself aware of such restrictions.
Then comes the nasty bit of who actually interviewed him for the position, where and when.
49 Posted 13/06/2023 at 10:14:15
50 Posted 13/06/2023 at 10:17:13
On the other hand, he was the one who fucked off, he is wealthy beyond his wildest dreams, he is manager of the greatest club in the world.
Seems to me it's a bit like a rich man divorcing his wife and running off with a supermodel, then taking his ex-missus to court for his share of the cutlery.
51 Posted 13/06/2023 at 10:18:17
52 Posted 13/06/2023 at 10:45:59
Just because he's loaded doesn't mean he isn't due what was due to him contractually. People can complain but being rich doesn't mean you just start throwing money away – if you do that, well, you won't be rich for very long.
It's a moral issue – it doesn't matter if you're owed 㿞 or ٟM. The club gave him the contract, and if they owe, they owe.
53 Posted 13/06/2023 at 10:53:23
54 Posted 13/06/2023 at 12:40:45
If I do work for a client and they refuse to pay up, should I just let them get away with it because I don't need the cash?
The fact that he has millions has nothing to do with it. If it goes as far as court, then the truth will out.
On the other hand, I should sue EFC over the motto 'Nothing but the best is good enough', now that's false pretences.
55 Posted 13/06/2023 at 12:46:15
Likewise, if the club hasn't put a foot wrong, they should fight against it. Let the lawyers sort it out. Someone's wealth should have no impact on their right to justice if [supposedly] wronged – a lot of envy on this board.
Very fickle bunch too – I can remember most being over the moon when he came, bringing the likes of James. The football Everton played the first few months with James, Calveret-Lewin and Richarlison up front was a joy to watch. In fact, I remember we were top of the table after the first few games. Calvert-Lewin also somehow turned into an Inzaghiesque poaching machine.
All seems to be forgotten and clouded by unnecessary bitterness imo. Even some comments saying it was the worst football since Walker – not sure what football is being referred to as it certainly wasn't what I was watching.
Also, the home/away ties were massively impacted by not having a crowd so for those pointing to home losses, they're conveniently avoiding the away wins.
No right-minded person would turn down Madrid if offered the job so can hardly blame him for leaving – even if he instigated the process. Where would you rather work in the football world if you have no ties to Everton or Liverpool city for that matter? Especially having to work for Kenwright and the other amateurs running the club?
I'm still amazed Moshiri managed to bring in someone of his standing to the club, to be honest. Certainly helped put us more on the map, however briefly.
We have much bigger fish to fry.
56 Posted 13/06/2023 at 12:53:52
However, others are right – if it's owed it's owed… and let's face it, with this board, it's far more likely to be our balls up.
We need to see detail, of course. Chances are this ain't simply whether the notice period included accrued holidays. More likely around something horrible like image rights. Time will tell.
57 Posted 13/06/2023 at 12:58:25
I've sued clients for unpaid work before and wouldn't hesitate to do so again. So I don't blame him.
All will come out in the coming weeks. I predict we'll settle just before it goes to trial.
Part of me would love it if he forwent what we owe him and spilt the beans on how these idiots ran our club.
58 Posted 13/06/2023 at 13:30:06
But he was a mad appointment, the positive to the Benitez negative – both totally unsuited to the task at hand.
Carlo, a finished article manager, and Benitez from the wrong side of the tracks – but both "Hollywood". A matter of great importance to blockheads like Moshiri.
59 Posted 13/06/2023 at 13:31:08
I completely agree, we were playing some good stuff, as you said even Calvert-Lewin was scoring (no other manager has got him to score regularly). Spirit of the Blues got brought out of the Everton Top 10 hits and there was a bit of a feel-good factor for a few months.
Then Van Dijk assaulted James and everything just tailed off in typical Everton fashion, but I'll always thank Carlo for ending our 20-year wait for a win at Mordor.
60 Posted 13/06/2023 at 13:40:29
He also didn't like how Carlo, at the first attempt, succeeded in what Moyesie failed to do in 20. Put him in a bad light, dear boy.
61 Posted 13/06/2023 at 14:02:44
In general the football we played was negative at best it was Itailan KITAP1. We could all see that surely?
In his first (half) season we had europe in sight and he delivered 5 points out from 18, or 5/18 in the final six games. Thrashed 1-3 by B'mouth on the final day of the season, when they were already relegated.
Second (full) season after a promising start we were top of league at the end of September, Such joy but feck all is won then.
But again with Europe in sight we finished with 7/18 including that amazing we don't give a fuck 0-5 spanking by Citteh on the final day.
We finished 3 points behind Spurs but with a massively minor goal difference. Europe missed again by lack of effort
So in my opinion the man who said he is not a magician and when he went to RM for no compo and than slagged us off and called us a Fiat Punto, Well he can go fuck himself and that said from the bottom of my heart, or the heart of my bottom as both apply.
If we owed him a fiver, I would still tell him to fuck off. 㾷m per year to get us into Europe and he failed.
Sorry for the rant.
62 Posted 13/06/2023 at 14:41:52
This isn't 20/20 hindsight either, coz during those games we could attend during his tenure, the good ones were few and far between. In fact, the topic of debate among regular attendees in our section was the fact that when playing similar stuff under Fat Sam, the banner towing light aircraft were out in force.
So let's not don the blue-tinted specs and rewrite history. He was by no means the worst we've had, but he certainly wasn't anywhere near the best either, and that goes for those he brought with him.
As for the club owing him money, if it's ended up in the High Court in London, then you can only assume it's followed due process and been subject to expensive haggling between the respective lawyers over the past 2 years, with him claiming he's owed X and us claiming it's Y, before it's finally ended up in front of the judge.
None of us know the merits of this stand-off one way or the other, all I would say is that having a son who's experienced in Sports Law, I'm simply amazed at the way he was allowed to just dump us in the fashion that he did and walk away unscathed, (contractually and financially that is) because any self-respecting lawyer would've had that more than covered in his contract?
So it would seem this isn't necessarily one to be laid at Ancelotti's door, (if he's owed it, he's owed it) it's moreover another one that comes back to the second highest paid hierarchy in the Premier League, don't you just love em?
63 Posted 13/06/2023 at 15:11:22
I'd guess he was contractually entitled to a bonus payment and we didn't pay it.
We probably owe him the ٠ million, and my guess, conjecture mind you, is we'll need to pay up. They might negotiate downwards as Carlo left abruptly, but we most likely owe him the money under contract, and we'll end up paying.
64 Posted 13/06/2023 at 15:18:19
I don't care if he is owed it, he is one greedy bastard.
65 Posted 13/06/2023 at 15:26:14
You enter into contract, you fulfill the terms. It's not morally proper to do otherwise.
Everton are a "proper" Club, no? Something we can all be proud of in the way it conducts itself? If so, and they promised money, Everton need to live up to the terms they agreed to and pay Carlo. It's that simple, Carlo-greed has literally nothing to do with it.
66 Posted 13/06/2023 at 15:28:58
"The High Court deals at first instance with all high-value and high-importance civil law (non-criminal) cases."
So it seems like it's going to be a significant issue.
67 Posted 13/06/2023 at 15:31:18
top of the league, playing great football, scoring well (to media silence), then James clattered (to media silence), Richarlison banned, Pickford ridiculously vilified due to VVD incident (media hugely interested). VAR didn't deliver for RS.
Then that was that. The team had that Everton look return. The playing style totally changed, gone even when playing staff were available again, save for one short period.
I found it all rather suss.
68 Posted 13/06/2023 at 15:33:41
I'm not saying he isn't entitled to the money, but his behaviour as a human being is pretty rancid. Football clubs aren't banks, he was given a huge amount of goodwill. and is now, from his lofty perch at Real Madrid, suing us for his 'survival bonus'.
Fuck him.
69 Posted 13/06/2023 at 15:37:59
I get it. Carlo's departure stunk. He fucked off immediately the second his mistress winked at him. You don't have to like the way he left. I don't!
But if we contractually owe him money, you gotta pay it. To not do so is breaking terms of a contract and simply unethical and immoral.
I expect more from Everton, no matter how shitty the departure was.
You owe, you pay, especially contractually. You can be hard done by and be bitter, but if you owe, you pay. It's a simple thing. Without the social institutions that bind promises, chaos ensues and no one can trust anyone. You gotta pay.
Stinks. But I don't see this as a greed issue at all. The man is owed money, my guess is it's legitimate in the terms of the contract both parties agreed to, so you plug your nose and pay up.
70 Posted 13/06/2023 at 15:57:32
We still live in the era pre-'60s when selecting to support a club came free of encumbrances but it isn't true any more. We support the corruption and crony capitalism that is the modern game and that very few of us can ever be associated with.
Why do we still support it when it isn't a game now?
71 Posted 13/06/2023 at 16:00:29
72 Posted 13/06/2023 at 16:06:28
Carlo wanted Davies at Real. We wouldn't sell. It embittered Carlo so he's now on a scorched earth campaign suing Everton. 😜
73 Posted 13/06/2023 at 16:11:13
I have to agree, largely. But, it all comes down to match day and the 90 minutes on the pitch, where the peripheral shit can be mostly forgotten. The football.
This is why I don't like the political/social causes garbage and the digital encroachment of VAR because they manifest the tentacles.
In theory, though, we do have the option to walk away, but...
74 Posted 13/06/2023 at 16:30:04
A lot of people think Carlo is a top bloke, but I like Everton's stance "Yes, we owe you it. But you'll have to sue us, Dickhead."
75 Posted 13/06/2023 at 17:31:51
I'm still bitter over Carragher's rape against Lescott.
I'm still bitter over Son's tackle on Gomes.
I get it. I'm not saying you're bitter per se, just that I understand the anger.
I'd just take the high road and be done with it. And I'm not hinting at the fact I always take the high road – I definably do not. Just in this instance do what you're morally obligated to do and move on.
Sometimes you get screwed, and there's an awful aftertaste.
Cheers.
76 Posted 13/06/2023 at 18:16:42
77 Posted 13/06/2023 at 18:30:00
Just one more on the long list of being a proper club and as it was said - What would Everton do ?
78 Posted 13/06/2023 at 20:06:37
I don't know if it some on the side stadium deal but the timing is somewhat curious and look, Guardian is there to deliver the message. General commercial and arrangement have me thinking I'm not far off.
79 Posted 13/06/2023 at 22:37:40
Don't play the victim, that's for others.
He negotiated a contract and Everton agreed to pay him, did you expect to work for nowt.
80 Posted 14/06/2023 at 01:08:39
81 Posted 14/06/2023 at 01:18:54
82 Posted 14/06/2023 at 09:23:10
83 Posted 14/06/2023 at 09:30:28
84 Posted 14/06/2023 at 12:50:34
85 Posted 14/06/2023 at 12:51:56
We know nothing of his contract but I was very surprised he was able to leave Everton so quickly and easily without any compensation in this day and age.
Who writes our contracts, who approves them? I'm guessing Bill is involved.. why has he not left yet?
86 Posted 14/06/2023 at 13:11:25
87 Posted 14/06/2023 at 14:41:27
But – there was always something slightly surreal about Ancelotti's appointment. We were floundering and the limitations of our squad and spending power were apparent. He was a manager used to working with superstars. Sure, he talked the talk and made out that he had bought in emotionally – but did he really?
Things began to go awry towards the end of his tenure. I recall him lambasting the players after we lost to (soon-to-be relegated) Sheffield United. I think it was with about 4/5 games to go. It was the first time I'm aware of that he condemned the players publicly (I could be wrong). Before that, he flattered them to an almost obsequious, and certainly incredulous, degree – general contract arrangements? With his marked shift in attitude, I remember thinking that, rather than frustration, it might reveal a change in loyalty. Certainly, the teams' effort towards the end of that season was like watching a balloon slowly deflate – which closely mimicked Ancelotti's own lack of commitment. I fully expected the drubbing by Man City at the end. Who knows what machinations were in play?
You'd have to wonder if the club forced Ancelotti's hand by breaking their commitments – perhaps likely given the performance of Moshiri and the board. But why would Moshiri mess around someone he clearly wanted so desperately? Was there a raft of gentleman's agreements? I'd like to say it will all come out in the wash – but we'll probably only ever get half-truths whatever the outcome.
If there's no substance to his claims, maybe the club could counter-sue Ancelotti for already having one eyebrow in Madrid before he left. Then again, who'd back Everton vs Ancelotti's brows?
88 Posted 14/06/2023 at 16:28:52
89 Posted 16/06/2023 at 04:57:12
Useless prick... another Moshiri balls-up!
90 Posted 16/06/2023 at 05:02:28
The ugly face of "The Beautiful Game".
91 Posted 16/06/2023 at 06:48:57
Take them to court, Don Carlo, and show the world what a pair of dickheads these two are.
92 Posted 16/06/2023 at 07:02:42
They have obviously promised Carlo something because they were in awe of him but, having said that, we were hardly setting the world alight and he just fucks off back to the club that sacked him. He doesn't need the money so I'm hoping he gets nothing from us. The greedy fucker.
I remember after Martinez's first season and Kenwright got all light-headed and wanted to sign him up for an extra few years on top of his 5-year deal. Another shit show that was. How long is their list of cock-ups?
93 Posted 17/06/2023 at 11:25:07
Perhaps he forgot that he broke his contract and what he says is meaningless.
94 Posted 22/06/2023 at 20:25:26
Carlo Ancelotti held talks over Everton bonus fund with Alisher Usmanov
95 Posted 22/06/2023 at 21:34:45
96 Posted 22/06/2023 at 22:36:49
A promise by someone without the legal authority to do so for an achievement that wasn't made.
97 Posted 22/06/2023 at 23:07:38
Everton are saying “do one, this was not sanctioned by the club, but by a sponsor not acting on our behalfâ€.
Carlo's miffed and now his legal team are banking on this being settled out of court to make it go away.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
How to get rid of these ads and support TW


1 Posted 12/06/2023 at 15:45:24
Link