JOIN USReal Madrid have turned to Carlo Ancelotti to heal the wounds left by Jose Mourinho’s controversial reign at the Bernabeu, appointing the Italian on a three-year contract on Tuesday.
The Spanish giants hope the former Paris St Germain manager will unite the dressing room, calm fans and local media, and re-establish Real as serious challengers to La Liga champions Barcelona.
“Familiar with the pressures of managing the great teams of the continent (Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea and PSG) the Italian is guaranteed to direct an exciting project,” Real said on their website.
Milan won the Champions League twice under Ancelotti, 54, who had been linked with the Real post since Mourinho’s exit at the end of last season.
Ancelotti, who will be presented on Wednesday, asked to leave PSG but the move was reportedly held up until the French champions found a replacement.
PSG announced they had agreed a two-year deal with former France coach Laurent Blanc at the same time as Real made public their agreement with Ancelotti.
Spanish media have reported that Real will pay PSG around four million euros (3.3 million pounds) in compensation for the year of his contract he still had with the French club.
Mourinho led Real to a King’s Cup and La Liga title in his three years in charge, but his final season was characterised by public disputes with players such as captain Iker Casillas and defender Pepe which divided fans into two camps.