Carlo Ancelotti has admitted it was his ‘dream’ to manage Liverpool.
Ancelotti was heavily touted for the Anfield hot seat in October 2015 before Jurgen Klopp was eventually appointed as Brendan Rodgers’ successor.
The Real Madrid head coach has faced off against the Reds no fewer than 20 times, including during an 18-month spell in charge of neighbours Everton.
But Ancelotti confessed in an interview with Swiss radio station RSI that he once harboured designs of taking the reins prior to his Goodison Park stint.
He said: “My dream was to coach Liverpool.
“But then I found myself at Everton and I experienced their rivalry, and now I am absolutely an Everton fan.
“I really liked the environment, because there is a spectacular passion for the colours.
“You also notice the suffering that the fans have for Liverpool, which for many years and still today is the best in the Premier League.”