Carlo Ancelotti Alisher Usmanov talks emerge as Everton court stance shared
Carlo Ancelotti held talks with Alisher Usmanov over proposed bonuses before the Real Madrid boss to the Everton job in 2019, according to The Guardian.
It’s believed Ancelotti held talks about a series of incentive payments that were dependent on Everton’s Premier League performance (The Guardian, 22 June).
The news has raised questions over whether the “proposed side deal” is the reason why the Italian is taking Everton to court.
It’s understood that Ancelottis believes he was promised a bonus that he negotiated with an individual outside the club. The target could have been a top-half finish, which he did achieve in the 2020/21 season.
The Toffees’ position is that no bonus payments were offered and that it would not have authorised such payments.
No surprise
If Ancelotti did have an off-the-record chat with Usmanov it would come as no surprise.
The Oligarch’s influence over Everton has been long debated. Farhad Moshiri has often been accused of being influenced by Usmanov. It’s fair to say it’s all a bit messy.
With a number of Russia’s influential figures being sanctioned, it’s probably a good thing that Usmanov doesn’t have a public influence over the Merseyside club.
This latest mess is yet more evidence to suggest Moshiri’s tenure at the club needs to come to an end. There’s been talk of MSP Sports Capital looking to invest and the sooner that happens the better for everyone.
For too long the same unprofessionalism has run from the top of the club down. The fact Moshiri has missed his own deadline relating to Bill Kenwright’s departure tells us all we need to know. Heading into what is a vitally important summer window, fast decision-making is required.