'I believe this to be true' - Gary Lineker tells surprise story of how Carlo Ancelotti was appointed manager of Real Madrid for a second time after Zinedine Zidane's exit

Madrid were looking for a new manager following Zidane's exit in 2021 and now ex-England international Lineker has divulged what he has been told about Ancelotti succeeding him. The presenter said that Los Blancos asked the Italian, who was at Everton at the time, who would be a good manager to be in the dugout at the Spanish giants; before he put himself forward and the rest is history.

He said on MOTD Top 10: "This, I believe to be true. Real Madrid rang [Carlo Ancelotti] or the president [Florentino Perez], or whoever it was, to get his opinion about a coach or two that they could possibly bring in. They had a conversation and it ended with Carlo going, 'Well, I'll do it'. And then they went, 'Ok'."

Ancelotti's second spell at Madrid, after a 2013-15 stint, has been hugely successful. He has won two La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns, among other trophies. And the legendary manager could yet win more silverware this term.

Ancelotti will hope his Madrid side can beat Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday as Los Blancos aim to keep their treble hopes alive.