Everton boss Carlo thought ESL plan was ‘just a joke’
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti first thought the European Super League announcement could have been a joke, but hopes the fall-out might lead to long-lasting reform of elite club competitions.
Merseyside rivals Liverpool were among six Premier League clubs to collectively announce on Sunday night they had signed an agreement to form a new competition with leading sides from Italy and Spain.
However, the response from supporters and the wider footballing world was almost completely negative to the extent that, by Tuesday evening, the Reds - as well as Arsenal,Chelsea,Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham - withdrew from the process.
AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid have also pulled out, leaving just Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus of the original 12 clubs involved in the breakaway competition.
And Ancelotti said: "My immediate reaction was they are joking, 'Is it a joke?’.
"They wanted to build a competition without sporting merit. This is not acceptable because in our culture, we were brought up to have sporting merit. They were wrong - full stop.
"I think that the Super League as they proposed it is impossible, but a new way of Champions League I think (can be achieved).
"I think in 2024 there will be a new format for the Champions League and on there I think that they can talk and find the best solution to have this competition more and more exciting and competitive.
"Every one of us wants the Champions League to be more competitive.”