Remembering Carlo Ancelotti's first spell at Real Madrid

Following the path set by the trailblazing Thomas Gravesen, Carlo Ancelotti is swapping Everton for Real Madrid in what will be his second spell in charge of Los Blancos.

The first time around he lasted 693 days - an eternity by Real manager standards - replacing Jose Mourinho in June 2013 before being sacked in May 2015.

Forgotten the ins and outs of Don Carlo's initial spell at the Santiago Bernabeu? Never fear. Below we have assessed exactly what he did right and wrong in the hot seat.

Signings

Carlo Ancelotti was in place for several key transfers during his time at the club. In his first summer window Dani Carvajal, Isco and Casemiro arrived with the trio forming vital parts of the Real team in the years that followed.

The main event of that summer, though, was the arrival of Gareth Bale on a then-world record fee. The following pre-season, with Ancelotti given a greater say in recruitment, Real signed breakout World Cup star James Rodriguez, along with Toni Kroos and Keylor Navas - three more important arrivals.

However, Ancelotti's transfer record was not spotless. The club overspent on Asier Illarramendi during his first window, splashing a record fee for a Spanish player on the solid but unsensational defensive midfielder. The arrival of Lucas Silva one year later was similarly misjudged.

League performance

Despite remaining in the title race for the majority of both campaigns, Ancelotti failed to win La Liga during his two seasons at the club.

The first time around Ancelotti fell victim to Diego Simeone's miraculous Atletico Madrid side. Scoring was never a problem with Real averaging 2.7 goals per game in La Liga, scoring four or more in ten matches. However, a pair of El Clasico defeats, as well as poor losses to Sevilla and Celta Vigo, cost them the title.

It was a similar story the following season. Again Real finished as La Liga's top scorers with Cristiano Ronaldo netting an absurd 48 goals and Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez getting into double figures.

Even with this incredible firepower Los Blancos did not quite have enough for the title with Barcelona edging them out by two points. Reflecting on the season, Ancelotti will have rued back to back defeats to Real Sociedad and Atletico in the opening weeks of the campaign.

Cup performance

Real's Copa del Rey run during Ancelotti's first season in charge was impressive. They did not concede a single goal en route to the final, thrashing Atletico 5-0 on aggregate in the semis.

This was followed by a famous triumph over Barcelona in the final where Bale transformed into a road runner for 10 glorious seconds, just enough time to grab an incredible winner at the death. The following season Ancelotti could not replicate this success. Atleti enacted their revenge in the round of 16, triumphing 4-2 on aggregate.

This would not the first time their fierce rivals ended Real's cup hopes either. Atletico also bested Los Blancos in the Supercopa de Espana.

European performance

Before Ancelotti took over Real had not won the Champions League since 2002. He ended that 12 year wait in dramatic fashion during his first season at the club, leading his side to an extra time victory over Atletico in the final.

Before that Real blitzed through their group and embarrassed Schlake in the round of 16, breezing to a 9-2 aggregate victory. Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund were then dispatched with some difficulty, setting up a mouth watering semi-final matchup with Bayern Munich.

After a cagey first leg which Real sneaked 1-0, they humiliated Die Roten in Munich with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos grabbing braces in a 4-0 win. Real defended stoically and counter attacked ruthlessly, giving Pep Guardiola's charges no chance.

The final was one of the most enthralling in recent memory with Ramos sending the game to extra time with a 93rd minute header. From there Real were merciless, with Bale, Ronaldo and Marcelo scoring to secure the trophy.

Ancelotti's defence of their European crown did not go too badly. They won every game in their group and once again beat Schalke in the round of 16. A frightfully dull 1-0 aggregate win over Atleti followed in the last eight, before they finally met their match at the hands of a well drilled Juventus side in the semis.

Tactics

At the start of his career Ancelotti was wedded to a distinct playing style which drew heavily from Arrigo Sacchi's ideas, who was his coach at Milan.

However, as time has progressed he has become far more flexible and this was evidence during his time at Real. At first he changed very little, persisting with the 4-2-3-1 system that Mourinho used. Over time this mutated into an attacking 4-3-3 which gave Real incredible power in transition.

Key to this was the emergence of Angel Di Maria - and latterly James Rodriguez - as an advanced central midfielder. This system saw Ronaldo used in a free left forward role, where he returned his best ever scoring figures with Karim Benzema acting as the perfect, selfless facilitator.

The arrival of Toni Kroos - the complete midfielder - in Ancelotti's second season would then set the template for the Real midfield three for years to come.

Verdict

Ancelotti's first reign in charge of Madrid was not perfect. Ending their Champions League drought when so many others had failed was impressive, but failing to clinch a La Liga title with the talent at his disposal was extremely disappointing.

Some of the tactical changes he implemented and transfers he signed off on paid off handsomely for years to come, though.

This time around he is working with a far less talented squad, so if he can even come close to replicating his previous success the club will be very happy.