Carlo Ancelotti has swiftly moved to play down Everton chances of mounting a challenge for the Premier League title this season.
Ancelotti, who last week celebrated a year in charge at Goodison Park, has guided Everton to second place in the table.
The Toffees lie in the top four at Christmas for the first time in 16 years following Gylfi Sigurdsson’s 80th-minute strike which gave them a fourth straight league win at Sheffield United.
The 1-0 victory left Ancelotti’s team on 29 points from 15 games, two behind Liverpool.
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The 61-year-old has conceded that he never expected Everton to be so well placed heading into the second half of the campaign. However, he insists the only objective remains to get the club back into Europe.
Asked if Everton were in the title race, Ancelotti said: “No, I think realistically no. We’re really pleased to be second. We didn’t expect that at the start of the season but we are there and we want to stay there.
“We are really pleased to be there but I think our target doesn’t change. There is a lot of competition in the Premier League, a lot of good teams. We are happy to be second now but our target is to reach a European position and to play in Europe next season. It doesn’t change.
“I have to say that in one year we have progressed really well. We would also like to progress again next season.”
Asked if a victory against Manchester City on Monday would change his mind about Everton’s title credentials, Ancelotti replied: “It will be the same.
“We have to be honest with ourselves, we are not at the same level as this team.
“We would like to be as soon as possible at the same level and we are working for this. But if you ask me today then I have to be honest.”
12 Comments
people who blame GERNOT ROHR for being modest nd showing too much respect to opposing teams,there you go……a world class coach has spoken into your senses nd that does not mean he outrightly does not want the premier league title if at the end of the season his team became winners……only fools despise others
Oga this your narrative is off the mark. An Everton coach MUST sound modest in the face of the big 6 who obviously have the best players and bigger budget. If eventually he wins the league (like Leicester) it will be a one off thing rather than usual. Justifying or placing that with a GR sounding’modest’ against countries like Benin Republic, Sierra Leone etc with inferior players and pedigree, to me is questionable.
Regards!
In modern day football,coaches are modest irrespective of opponent.
You show respect to opponents that’s standard it doesn’t matter if it’s a big or small opponent.
If I say anything I will be repeating what @fathergp said,so no comment.
Father JP God bless you we need more of your kinds. @Lanre it is sad that we have too many of your kinds littered all over the public space including here led by Drey. I hope simple wisdom will help you spare the blush next time.
Hahahahaha Chima them go attack you like Boko Haram for speaking the raw truth o. This one make laugh tire, Dr dry where you dey?
@chima,must you mention my name?……please stay away from anything that has to do with me……it is good for you if in your THINKING the best way to be successful in life is to always talk nd look down on your opponents,personally i fear nd adore people who talk less nd ACT more because they are the wisest species that can be found any where,not idiots who just brag about when in reality they are ill equipped for anything called success.
I sorry for people like you who don’t have contact with great people that is why you think everyone is a failure based on your environment and what surrounds you. I would have referred you to my profile but there’s a wise saying that you don’t argue with fools less you’ll be contaminated by their foolishness.
I don’t even know you not until your coward utterances this morning. Next time think before you talk else someone else will put you in your shoes because I don’t think I will have your time again.
Only one person is giving Chima 29 dislike and spreading likes and dislike, continue deceiving yourselves where are the 29 people, Dr dry and lanre your writings are written all over. LMAO
@Lanre….
Sometimes u don’t need to blame some people (nigerians), since their politicians have been promising them heaven and earth but end up doing none, they become use to it.
If someone tries to be modest by telling them nothing but the truth they feel the person is incompetent….
In their tiny mind they assume that “if the one that promise us water in desert cannot meet up, how would the one that didn’t even promise get it done?”… This is their backward mentality.
So if u want to head any position in nigeria, just make sure u are proud and can deceive the masses with empty promises. This is what the people in nigeria likes.
I have never seen when top class coaches brag, the likes of QUADIOLA, KLOPP, SIMEONE, ZIDANE, ALLEGRI, TUCHEL, SARRI, CONTE don’t brag they show respect to those religation teams.
Even the players like MESSI, CR7, NEYMA, SALAH, MANE, KPD, POGBA et all Show respect to their opponent.
Who are we that shouldn’t do same?
That is how they use to promise us then at the end of it all KENYA would come and hammer us….
CONGO would come and masacker SE.
It is well shar….
When u brag in football, the opponent would just plot your game plans and humble u….
Morinho, Ferguson, Arsen Wenger, Anceloti, Benitez et all old coaches don’t brag bcos they know what is in this game….
They keep telling u the opponents have good players even when it is evidently no top class players in their rank.
They try to talkdown that ego but in the secrete they are highly motivated and when they step in, u see the difference…..
Rohr is doing what every coach are doing and at the end the result speaks…. Stats don’t lie….
Mention any SE coach that has a better win rotio than OGA BABA ROHR….
Infact, for more than 4 years now, it’s only ALGERIA, S.AFRICA, MADAGASCAR, SENEGAL that tasted victory over OGA ROHR’s SUPER EAGLES in the whole africa….
Remember, we’ve face the likes of CAMEROUN, EGYPT, TUNISIA, ZAMBIA….
When last did it happen???
Give respect to whom it’s due….
Lanre is a clone of either Dr dry or Oakfield ghost childish attitude fear is now making you people change your username and using multiple likes and dislike. Oya na I will go and buy VPN and play this games too.