The reason Davide Ancelotti to Rangers talks collapsed as truth over approach to lure global superstar to Ibrox uncovered
A former leading Rangers managerial contender has opened up on his dialogue with the Ibrox club
Davide Ancelotti has broken his silence on talks with Rangers over their managerial position last summer - revealing the Ibrox club rejected HIM amid conflicting reports that he had turned down the vacancy at the time.
The son of legendary Brazil boss Carlo was one of the leading candidates to fill the hot seat before Rangers opted to appoint former Southampton boss Russell Martin - a move that quickly turned into a nightmare, with the Englishman lasting just 17 games before he was axed.
Ancelotti was subsequently hired as head coach of Brazilian outfit Botafogo, but he only remained in post for 33 games in South America before quitting his role in December following a bust-up with the club's hierarchy.
Offering some insight into his discussions with Rangers, Ancelotti - who has now returned to his role as assistant to his father with the Brazilian national team - revealed the Govan giants declined to offer him with role despite holding positive talks at the interview stage.
Speaking on a BBC Sounds podcast, Ancelotti recalled: “Rangers were a club that I had conversations with and had an interview process with, as always happens now in modern football.
“I went through this process, but in the end they had to pick one and they didn't pick me. But the process went well and my relationship with the club was good and I appreciated the fact they considered me for the job.
“At interviews, you have to answer a lot of questions about your philosophy, about how you train, about how you cope with the pressure and the media. But at the end of the day, until you see a manager working on a daily basis, it's difficult to evaluate.”
Ancelotti addresses reported Luka Modric transfer approach
Ancelotti was reportedly weighing up an approach for Real Madrid and Croatia legend Luke Modric to ask whether he would be open to seeing out the remainder of his playing career in Glasgow if he had landed the job.
He has since revealed that he could have asked the question to the now-40-year-old, who opted to join Italian giants AC Milan instead as a free agent after becoming available on a Bosman deal.
“I could have asked him...why not?” Ancelotti said. “Rangers are a big club, with a big history in Europe that always plays European competition. And Luka Modric needed to prepare for the World Cup.
“In the end, he decided to do what he is doing now - he decided to go and play with a big club and someone that he could represent. But honestly, I didn't ask anyone to go to Rangers because I didn't get the job.”