Everton attacker James Rodriguez has admitted that the possibility of a reunion with Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid is unlikely.
The Italian manager left Everton a few weeks ago, and returned to Real Madrid in what was a surprise appointment.
Real Madrid signed James Rodriguez while Ancelotti was in charge during 2014, and the Colombian was a key player under the Italian.
Ancelotti then signed Rodriguez for Bayern Munich, and Everton a few years later as well, so reports linking the attacking midfielder with a return to the Spanish capital aren’t surprising.
Rodriguez, however, has admitted that it’s unlikely a move to Real Madrid will happen this summer and believes that chapter of his career is closed now.
“I don't know (if I'll go back to Madrid). I don't think so. If I stay another year at Everton, that's fine,” he said during an Instagram Live chat.
“I don't think Ancelotti is going to take me. The cycle for me with Real Madrid is closed. I don't think I'll go there, but I'm still young.”
Former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez expected to continue at Everton
Everton are still looking to hire a manager following Ancelotti’s unexpected departure. Regardless of who is given the managerial reigns, it’s clear that James Rodriguez’s future lies on Merseyside.
The Colombian had a good first full season in the Premier League, and will look to build on that next season.
Everton still have a good squad and will look to appoint the right manager to take the club forward. Recent reports claim Nuno Espirito Santo could be the new manager.
Rodriguez’s contract with Everton runs until 2022, and there is an option to extend his contract by another year.
Everton will hope to push for European football next season after finishing tenth in the Premier League table last season.
The Toffees started the 2020-21 season strongly, but a poor second half of the season saw them drop out of the top seven and miss out on European football once again.
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