Carlo Ancelotti has agreed a new contract at Real Madrid, committing him to the club until 2026.The Italian’s current deal had been due to expire next summer and uncertainty over his future lingered throughout 2023 amid persistent links to the Brazil job.
However, Real Madrid confirmed on Friday — just days before Ancelotti and the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) could have formally opened negotiations — that the 64-year-old would extend his stay until June 30, 2026.
Former CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues had repeatedly spoken of his admiration for Ancelotti, who himself expressed “pride” at the possibility of managing “one of the biggest national teams in the world”.
Sources close to Ancelotti had acknowledged since the end of 2022 that his priority was to stay with the La Liga heavyweights. Despite not distancing himself from links, the coach also said publicly that he would wait for Real to offer him an extension “until the last day”.
Ancelotti had been sounded out on the prospect of a new deal being offered if things continued positively, but he was equally aware that if results dipped, the outlook could quickly change. Real Madrid generally do not like to make any kind of definite move at this stage of a season, but in this particular scenario, they knew the strength of Brazil’s appeal to Ancelotti.
Ancelotti has been at Real since 2021, having previously managed the club from 2013 to 2015. In five seasons across two spells, he has won 10 titles including two Champions League trophies and one La Liga title, as well as two Copa del Reys.
The Elephants of Côte D’Ivoire are primed to make an impact at AFCON 2024 as they host the tournament for only the second time in the competition’s history. They hosted all the way back in 1984 but succumbed to a group stage exit.
They will be hoping for a much better go at it this time around. Coach Jean-Louis Gasset has named a formidable squad to that effect, although eyebrows were raised at the omission of former Manchester United and Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha.
They are reports of internal wranglings between Zaha and the coach but there has been no official confirmation in that regard. Brighton’s Simon Adingra has been included despite being sidelined with a hamstring injury.
SQUAD IN FULL:
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana, Badra Ali Sangare, Charles Folly.
Midfielders: Idrissa Doumbia, Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare, Seko Fofana, Jean Michel Seri, J-T Lazare.
Attackers: Nicolas Pepe, Max Gradel, Simon Adingra, Karim Konaté, Sebastian Haller, Oumar Diakite, Jonathan Bamba, Jeremie Boga, Christian Kouame, J-P Krasso.
The Elephants are in action against Guinea Bissau on January 13th for the tournament’s opening game. They then host Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea in Group A.
2022 FIFA World Cup semi finalists Morocco are one of the strong favourites to go all the way in the African Cup of Nations tournament this January. The Atlas Lions enjoyed a fantastic 2023 culminating in being named CAF Team of the Year.
Coach Walid Wegragui was also crowned CAF Coach of the Year in the recent CAF Awards. The 48 year old has named his squad for the upcoming AFCON tournament as he aims to end the North Africans’ 48 year wait for a title.
SQUAD IN FULL:
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir El Kajoui, El Mehdi Benabid.
December has been as intense as can be expected, with Liverpool contesting eight fixtures across three different competitions. There were a number of top performers for the Reds, it’s now time to crown a Player of the month for the final time in 2023.
The month began with a madcap seven goal thriller at Anfield which saw Trent net a late winner to down Fulham. Then came trips to Sheffield and Crystal Palace which yielded the six maximum points, the highlight of which was a Harvey Elliott stoppage time winner at Selhurst Park.
Then came the dead rubber final Europa League group game at Union Saint-Gilloise where a youthful Liverpool side went down 2-1 for the only defeat in December. A frustrating goalless draw against Manchester United followed.
West Ham were then brushed aside in the Carabao Cup quarter finals before another home league stalemate, this time against Arsenal. The month was finally wrapped up with the comfortable 2-0 victory at Burnley on Boxing Day.
Here are the three best players in December:
3. Virgil Van Dijk – avg. rating (7.2)
The big man has been in imperious form all season and was a driving force in the Reds picking up 14/18 points over the festive period. He was flawless at Sheffield United, keeping the Blades at bay before opening the scoring from a corner.
He was rock solid throughout December, aiding the side in picking up 3 clean sheets in half a dozen league games. He was unflappable against United, cruised through an hour against West Ham and was part of a quartet of impressive centre half displays vs Arsenal.
The skipper picked up his second Man of the Match award in December at Turf Moor as he once again marshalled his troops to a win and clean sheet. The 32 year old leads the way in the Premier League for most aeriel duels won (81). Best in the business.
2. Wataru Endo – avg. rating (7.3)
December has been the breakout month for 30 year old summer signing Wataru Endo. A combination of factors (mainly an injury to Mac Allister) saw the Japanese skipper get a run of games in the side and he hasn’t looked back.
It all begun at home to Fulham when an unbalanced Liverpool side conceded three times in 80 minutes. Endo was brought on for Gravenberch when the side was trailing in the final minutes and succeeded in stabilising the midfield.
His natural defensive instincts freed Trent to bomb forward without leaving the side open. It also helped that Endo curled home a picture perfect equaliser to set the stage for Trent’s late winner. This saw him handed a start at Sheffield and he took the opportunity with both hands.
He hasn’t looked back since, becoming the only player in the squad to start every single game since then. He put a below par display at Palace behind him quickly to exert his influence in intense midfield battles against Manchester United, West Ham and Arsenal.
The latter was particularly impressive as he helped match the trio of Rice, Odegaard and Havertz boot for boot. He rounded off the month with what is quickly becoming a trademark battling display at Burnley. He’s finally settled into the side so it’s a shame he has to depart for the Asian Cup next week.
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold – avg. rating (8.0)
Hands down the most impressive player in red over the course of December has been the vice captain. Having put in a Man of the Match display at Manchester City late in November, the 25 year old carried on that form throughout this month.
It started with that ridiculous free kick to open the scoring against Fulham. He then settled the contest after popping up with the winner in the 88th minute, picking the ball up on the edge of the box before smashing hard and low into the bottom corner on the half volley.
He dabbled in a natural midfield role at times during December, with the manager not shy to unleash his most creative spark further forward. He came off the bench against West Ham as the deep lying playmaker and duly laid on two assists.
Another assist would follow, this time against Arsenal after an outrageous ball over the top set Salah away. He was unlucky not to score the winner again after smashing the crossbar from a swift breakaway. At Burnley, his passing once again stood out. He’s in a rich vein of form at the minute.
Trent in December:
• 570 minutes played • 121 passes into the final ⅓ (1st) • 53 ball recoveries (1st) • 32 chances created (1st) • 27 duels won • 20 accurate crosses (1st) • 10 big chances created (1st) • 8 successful dribbles • 8 tackles won • 7 appearances • 5 goal contributions (=1st) • 4 assists (1st) • 1 goal
